Sunday, June 18, 2000		Bollywood Bhelpuri

A fine example, indeed

URMILA MATONDKAR could easily serve as a fine example for anyone who is aiming for the top slot. The way she’s going about her present as well as future prospects in showbiz is admirable. I mean, here’s a heroine who is determined to prove that she can have no rivals, believe me.

One only has to speak with any of her directors to come to the conclusion that Urmi is a totally committed artiste. And that she’s hassle-free, wholly cooperative... and without dicey demands at all.

Hey! That’s saying a load of a lot for a young leading lady who’s become popular enough to throw her (little) weight around!

Preity Zinta’s, latest starrer, Kya Kehna, has taken a bumper initial. It is well on its way to becoming Y2K’s second way-out hit... after Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai! In Mumbai alone, the weekly collections have zoomed to (an unbelievable) 100 per cent and the "Houseful" boards have virtually been nailed to the walls as far as I can see.

This former "Miss St Bede’s beauty crown winner will no longer be talked about for Dil Se, Soldier, Sangharsh... pretty (and proud) Preity will be long remembered as the Kya Kehna heroine who spoke a bold language — and made all the women viewers sob into their ‘kerchiefs! What a pithy performance. And what luck! Even Ramesh Taurani of Tips Films cannot believe his (unexpected) fantastic fortune!

Which is why, it’s no surprise to find Zinta "zapped by the awesome response to my role in Kya Kehna — it’s a dream come true for the actress in me. Oh, God!" As the champagne celebrations go on, she is euphoric about her "absolutely amazing new, forthcoming films" Farz, Kya Yahi Pyar Hai, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega and Bichhu, amongst others. She feels, these will leave no doubt whatsoever that she’s "The No. 1" actress around! I’m glad she’s so brimming over with spunky self-assurance, but it would do her a world of good if only she tried to be more professional (and disciplined) in her lofty approach to her career.....

Guess which wannabes are now talking big? Angela Zaveri and Meghna Kothari.

I’m told that Angela is so keen to be paired with "her" Shah Rukh Khan that she flatly refuses to consider any (and there aren’t many) others offers thrown her way! That’s the Himalaya Putri asking for a tall order, for sure.

As for the tightly, ‘briefly shorted’ babe from Feroz Khan’s magnum debacle, Prem Agan, well, the shorter said, the better. She thinks she was "cheated" of her optimum appeal in her debut flick and now demands that, she be shown the edited and final version of any movie that she signs... before she agrees to its release!

Evidently, diminutive Meghna will have to finance, produce and direct a film herself if she’s really serious.

Abhishek Bachchan — doesn’t believe in making himself popular with the cine buffs, Y’know. As it is, the major part of the shoot for his debut film, JP Dutta’s Refugee, has been carried out by (strictly) keeping visitors and the press off and away from the sets, leading to a not-too-kind feeling in the industry.

You see, he was shooting on locations in Bhuj, Rajasthan — one of JP’s most favourite, geographical places to be at. And, being in the open, Abhi very well couldn’t avoid being besieged by curious crowds angling for his autograph, a pic with him... or merely a close look, see? But our youngman refused to oblige... excusing himself on the pretext (?) that he wasn’t a star, yet!