A different Chehraa for Madhoo
By Madhur Mittal

IT’S incredible how the security of a marriage can metamorphosise the entire persona of a woman. The woman in this case happens to be Madhoo. Not only is she taking to the cocktail circuit with the graceful elan and poise that makes her seem to the manner born, but even her choice of films has undergone a sea-change. No more inane roles, skimpy dresses and off-the-shelf banners — Madhoo, the actress, has gone choosy with a vengeance.

And her forthcoming film Chehraa bears testimony to this. An Adhikari Brothers presentation — the duo have already left an indelible impact on various television channels with their scathing serials — the film presents Madhoo in a "powerful and challenging role".

Chehraa has Madhoo in a performance that entirely revolves around her. A rarity that only some (make that one or two) actresses can boast of. Keeping her company on the marquee are Ayub Khan, (one of the most underrated actors and Seema Kapoor (the most over-painted queen of tele-sitcoms).

Believe me, this film will give Madhoo’s career a face-lift which even the most discerning critics or cinegoers are not likely to forget!

Rahul rides again

It had to happen eventually. After all, how long can you keep a gifted and good guy down. That’s Rahul Rawail for you, the guy who gave us those memorable hits Love Story, Betaab, Arjun... and then ran into a rough patch with Bekhudi, Anjaam and Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya. Films that weren’t bad per se, but films that did nothing to ring the cash registers.

Today, Rahul is a happy man. His latest directorial venture Arjun Pandit is a hit all over. What makes the roly-poly filmmaker doubly happy is that his favourite hero Sunny Deol is in the film to share the accolades and taalis. Well deserved success boys (!).

Sis in the race

Though Shilpa Shetty is looking as she’s never looked before — superlatively sensuous! Her only claim to fame today is — or rather are —boyfriend Akshay Kumar and Dharmesh Darshan’s much-touted film Dhadhkan. She awaits both with bated breath and fingers crossed!

Meanwhile there’s flurry in the Shetty household as younger sister Shamita gets ready to dab the greasepaint and face the arc-lights with a small role in Yash Chopra’s Mohabbatein.

A student of Sydenham College, Shamita is not a patch on big sis Shilpa, but with makeovers and steps on the right rungs of the ladder, of success crazier things have been known to happen.

Karisma does a con job

It’s tension time in filmdom once more as one of Bollywood’s favourite stars vacillates between refusing a film — to the extent of returning the signing amount — and then accepting a couple. Then she paints the town scarlet with buddy Jeh Wadia (the scion of the Wadia’s Bombay Dyeing Empire and son of Nusli and Maureen Wadia), while denying all rumours about any impending saat pheras with him.

Really, Karisma, you are ‘con’fusing and ‘con’founding a lot of people with such ‘con’flicting actions. And then to wrap it all up, you confess to a close director chum that you are "getting married on the 27th" — the date and month yet to be decided, it seems!

Drat it Lolo! What game are you playing?