BOLLYWOOD BUZZ September 2004
Comedy loses its king
Bollywood lost its most loved comedian on July 23 when Mehmood passed away in his sleep in Pennsylvania in the US. He was 72. Mehmood who had not been keeping well for the last many years, had acted in over 300 films, including the big hit Padosan. He patented a style that many have tried to emulate but with little success. Known for his ability to evoke laughter by the minute, he would go beyond directorial needs and improvise the scene on the sets. Whether it was the lonely lament Jaago Sonewalo in Bhoot Bangla or the rib-tickling Ek Chatur Naar in Padosan, Mehmood excelled in whatever he did. Late in his career, Mehmood proved his histrionic versatility through films like Kunwara Baap and Ginny Aur Johny.
The film fraternity bade a tearful farewell to the comic genius when his body was flown into Mumbai on July 28.
From love all to no love lost
The love match between Mahima Chaudhary and tennis ace Leander Paes has, sadly, turned into a slanging match. Yes, the couple broke up after all and chose to yell it from the rooftops, especially Mahima, who has gone to town accusing her ex-boyfriend of being involved with a married woman ? Rhea Pillai ? even while he was seeing her (Mahima). Leander who chose to maintain a discreet silence all along broke it recently with a cryptic comment: Both of us know the truth. In fact, it is Dr Paes, Leander's father who has been more vocal, saying that Mahima was just trying to "cover up her deficiencies." The buzz is that Ms Chaudhary's fondness for Bipasha's ex-boyfriend Dino Morea, actually led to her split with Leander.
Meanwhile, another slanging match is taking place between Amisha Patel and her parents after the actress sued her father charging him with mismanaging her earnings amounting to Rs 12 crore. The family fracas has become even more sordid with the Patels dragging director Vikram Bhatt's name into it. Vikram and Amisha recently admitted to being in a serious relationship.
Bollywood beckons Britney Spears
Now, this should be music to your ears! Pop diva Britney Spears is reportedly being considered for a role in a multi-million dollar Indian movie about three Indian students getting used to life at the Columbia University, New York. "They fall in love with Western culture and make new friends, including with the character Britney Spears plays," according to an insider. Another lesbian story in the making on the heels of Girlfriend? The film said to be the most expensive Bollywood film so far, will star no one less than the glittering trio of Aishwarya Rai, Rani Mukherjee and Preity Zinta.
In fact, Bollywood suddenly finds itself flooded with foreign talent. International singing sensation Tata Young has been roped in to render the title song of Dhoom in English. It promises to be a funky, sensual number shot on Abhishek Bachchan and Young. Last but certainly not the least, Pooja Bhatt has zeroed in on South African supermodel Ilene Hamann for her next venture titled Rog.
Manisha gives new ?direction' to her life
Manisha Koirala wants to give a new direction to her life ? quite literally. She is all set to leave for New York to do a two-month course in direction at the New York University. Gushes Manya: "I think I know a little about acting. Now I want to move on and learn other aspects about cinema. It's great to be a student." The actress was spotted apartment hunting in New York recently. But where does that leave her acting career? Well, there's the bio-pic on Indira Gandhi which is being revived and which "I'm really excited about." Another film that Manisha is looking forward to is a Nepalese film called Nepal Amma meaning Mother Nepal, said to be a remake of Mother India.
By the way, Manisha's latest film is an obsessive love story titled Chaahat Ek Nasha. Set against the backdrop of the music industry, the movie has Manisha playing a pop star a la Madonna. The film also stars Preeti Jhangiani and Aryan Vaid. Yes, the same guy whom Manya dear grew pretty close to during the making of Market!
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