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February 6, 1999

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The waiting game

Suman Ranganathan

Suman Ranganathan, who was recently seen in Rishi Kapoor's Aa Ab Laut Chalen, has been waiting for three years for her second release in the lead after Fareb for some decent luck.

Perhaps it was her mod frizzy cut that got the local yokel's backs up, but whatever the reason, she'd not cut much ice with the audiences. Which left her with options like vamp roles and being the leftover in a love triangle... Things like that.

Now she's taking some determined steps in what looks like the right direction, getting Govinda's secretary to take on her work too.

Charging in kind

Shah Rukh Khan

It was an event starring Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla. In Bangalore, where the two aren't commonly seen, it was a big thing indeed. Till the cops got coy.

They demanded a small amount to provide security for the event and, used their clout to get Shah Rukh to make three appearances at the local police station. The reason, ostensibly, was official.

The Khan dutifully went over to the police station, where the cop's kids too had turned up to ogle the star. He made his requests and the policemen, now gratified, cleared the show.

This is nothing new for Garden City, it seems. Former police commissioner S C Burman had demanded a hefty sum of Rs 2.5 million to provide security for ABCL's Miss World show. This bunch -- by comparison -- are nicer guys, we guess.

Hedging his bets

Amitabh Bachchan.

ABCL reminds us of Bade Miyan Amitabh, doesn't it? And if you'd been wondering where's he's been, he's been shooting in Madras for Suryavansh, which has a few short scenes left to be shot.

Much of the film's already been shot -- in a bungalow and palace, no less. Bachchan has been very insistent that the film be completed soon since he wants it released before Lal Badshah, one of the films he picked up soon after his re-entry into films.

Amitabh clearly has little confidence in the film, which was to be released soon after the late unlamented Mrityudaata. With his record improving with Major Saab and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Amitabh prefers a Suryavansh to Lal Badshah anytime.

Seeing double

A poster from Daag

This is the second coming of Mahima after Pardes. And we hear she's put in twice the effort in Daag than she did for her maiden effort -- since she's doing a double role.

The film also stars Chandrachur Singh and Sanjay Dutt and is slated for a release some time soon.

The film's directed by the mercurial Raj Kanwar, who had earlier made hits like Jaan, Laadla and Deewana and that flop, Itihaas. But then, his Judaai has done well and this film is his first release in a long time.

Though she's reportedly put in a better performance, let us see if anyone can present Mahima better than Subhash Ghai. Hey, we'll just see, won't we?

Marriage over career

The scuttlebut had it that Kajol would continue acting post-nuptials. But Kajol herself has given the thumbs down to the rumour.

The girl still maintains that she was doing films for a lark and that, for the present at least, she has no plans to continue with her career after entering into holy wedlock with Ajay Devgun.

However, there is a possibility that she might do a guest appearance or two in Ajay's next production. Opposite him, of course.

Puru straightens out

Puru Raj Kumar

Puru Raj Kumar may be nowhere in the industry now, having about as many unreleased films as a frog has eggs. But on the personal front, he's on stabler ground, going around as he is with Ramona Garware, widow of Jaideep who committed suicide recently.

On screen, he lacks the unconventional drawing power that his dad had. He also lacks the conventional variety flashed by the local Romeos. He had messed up his copybook even before his entry into cinema, running his car over six people, killing three and rendering three invalid.

But hopefully, he's getting over the dicey stretch and heading into the straight now...

Madhoo married

Madhoo

Madhoo has just got married. Madhoo? Remember her, the Roja girl? Yup, that's the one.

We'd also told you earlier that she's been going around with an industrialist friend of hers.

That's the bridegroom. We'll be providing more details, as and when they come in.

-- V S Srinivasan

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