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Bollywood on song

Sanjay Dutt

It's getting to be a habit now, actors singing. Aamir Khan hit pay dirt with Aati kya Khandala in Ghulam, and now all the top actors want to warble off screen. Among them, Sanjay Dutt and Shah Rukh Khan.

We were there when Sanjay tested his lungs at Dharmendra's studio at Juhu, Sunny Super Sound.

"Aye Shivani," teed of Sanjay, and the small gathering oohed in pleasure. Well, it wasn't too bad for a beginner. Actually, quite good. Sanjay made mistakes, corrected himself and generally seemed to get the hang of the thing fast.

Jatin and Lalit, the composers, even joked that with this kind of showing, they could consider making a musical with him.

Aamir's influence is getting around, for Sanjay had apparently rehearsed a great deal for the song. Whatever, there was one heck of applause in the studio when Sanjay finished.

And now there's Shah Rukh waiting in the wings too. Now if only someone would give him a song to sing...

Urmila goes international

Urmila Matondkar

So Urmila Matondkar's on a high. Satya is doing exceedingly well beside the revived Chotta Chetan.

And there's more ahead -- an Indo-US collaboration that she isn't talking about. Neither, for that matter, is director Ram Gopal Varma.

The plan is apparently under wraps because it's a very big project and Varma could fall flat on his face if he first talked, then failed.

Target: Mani Rathnam

Don't ever tap Mani Rathnam suddenly on the back. The poor man might just jump out of his skin.

The director of Roja and Bombay clearly isn't very impressed by the 'Z' category security around him. He's still scared to death.

Even at parties, he looks tense, avoiding all the light persiflage that's standard at such dos.

And it's nothing to do with work. His Dil Se has shaped up pretty well and Shah Rukh Khan and Mani's pet, Manisha Koirala, have reportedly given fantastic performances in the film, which was earlier called Ladakh -- Ek Kahani.

What's bothering Mani are some death threats he's been receiving. And he isn't quite convinced these are empty, for it wasn't so very long ago that someone tossed a bomb at his house.

And so he mumbles when spoken to and keeps peeking anxiously over his shoulder...

Pooping parties

Manisha Koirala

The maid we referred to as Mani's pet -- Manisha... Well, she was looking particularly ravishing at a party organised by mentor Subhash Ghai on Tuesday. That was to celebrate the 68th birthday of lyricist Anand Bakshi. Also present on the occasion was most of Bollywood, including Madhuri Dixit, Akshaye Khanna, Aishwarya Rai... You know, the bunch.

Now don't ask why Subhash should throw such a grand party on the 68th birthday of a man whose 60th birthday he didn't even attend. Maybe it was just as an excuse, considering there's little Bollywood has to celebrate about these days.

And among the few who weren't present on the occasion were Shah Rukh Khan and Mahima Chaudhary. Subhash had ditched his Pardes duo, who were also to star together in hisTaal. They're just kind of, you know, returning the favour.

Bill and more bills

Amitabh Bachchan

There appears little good news for Amitabh Bachchan despite the way his Major Saab is doing in north India. The last we knew, his ABCL had to return over Rs 12.5 million to UTV, a television software company.

ABCL had tied up with the company for acquisition of movies and other deals. But by December 1996, it was Rs 9.5 million in arrears. It has also to pay Rs 3 million as interest.

The guys at UTV are hoping now that Major Saab is doing okay for itself in the north, they can hope for some moolah.

They love me, they love me not...

Ajay Devgun

Are things looking up for Ajay Devgun? The tough-as-nails actor hopes so.

The change came after Ajay who was written off after a few flops made some impression with Major Saab.

Ahead is his own Pyar To Hona Hi Tha, which releases all over on Friday. There too, we hear, he's done a good job.

But even if he makes no impression, he has as his co-star, girlfriend Kajol, who already has one hit this year, Pyar Kiya To Drna Kya and an average performer in Dushman where her acting, at least, was lauded.

For now, Ajay has his fingers crossed.

-- V S Srinivasan