Guess who's drumming up support for the
Indian cricket team? Sivamani, that's who. The mercurial drummer from
Chennai is at the World Cup these days, flown down by Today's pens to beat up a frenzy
among desi fans at the matches played by India. He's been there from the start, moving
around among the crowds with his drum, there although he's a papa-to-be and the wife is
miles away in South Africa, there because "if Sachin can be here so soon after his
father passed away, the least I can do is be here and play for my country". Play
cricket, play the drums ... same difference, right?
Small Change The accent is on
change (though not enough) for Munish Makhija these days. The man who patented The
Haryanvi Accent as Channel V veejay Udham Singh, now has his "foot
out of V", but he's playing Udham in a movie. It's a comic cameo in Pyaar Deewana
Hota Hai , a film by Govinda's brother Kirti Kumar, also starring the director's famous
sibling and Rani Mukherjee. Says 31-year-old Udham a.k.a. Munish: "I play a
characterless character who is responsible for a major twist in the movie." Better
than a characterless character on TV who is fast running out of gags.
The Summer of '99 It's
a make-or-break-'em summer for these former rivals on the ramp. Aishwarya Rai,
with painful memories of Iruvar, Aur Pyar Ho Gaya, Jeans and Aa Ab
Laut Chale, is returning with Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal. And Sushmita
Sen, the flops and silicone hype now behind her, has Hindustan ki Kasam,
Sirf Tum and Biwi No. 1 lined up. Forget the box-office for a moment.
Says producer-director Sanjay Leela Bhansali: "Ash is a director's actress."
Ditto from Boney Kapoor: "Sushmita was my first choice." And the viewers'
choice?
Premier Visitor Diwali in May? Ask the people of Bahu Jamalpur in Haryana, and they'll
tell you the sweets and crackers are for Mahendra Chaudhary, 57. The
newly elected PM of Fiji has his roots in this tiny village. And though grandpa Chaudhary
moved out 87 years ago, this Chaudhary (seen here with his wife) still visits. Now he
says: "I'll do my best to nurture Fiji's relations with India where I have an
extended family." Nice thought, prime minister.
Guess who's drumming up support for the
Indian cricket team? Sivamani, that's who. The mercurial drummer from
Chennai is at the World Cup these days, flown down by Today's pens to beat up a frenzy
among desi fans at the matches played by India. He's been there from the start, moving
around among the crowds with his drum, there although he's a papa-to-be and the wife is
miles away in South Africa, there because "if Sachin can be here so soon after his
father passed away, the least I can do is be here and play for my country". Play
cricket, play the drums ... same difference, right? 
The accent is on
change (though not enough) for Munish Makhija these days. The man who patented The
Haryanvi Accent as Channel V veejay Udham Singh, now has his "foot
out of V", but he's playing Udham in a movie. It's a comic cameo in Pyaar Deewana
Hota Hai , a film by Govinda's brother Kirti Kumar, also starring the director's famous
sibling and Rani Mukherjee. Says 31-year-old Udham a.k.a. Munish: "I play a
characterless character who is responsible for a major twist in the movie." Better
than a characterless character on TV who is fast running out of gags. 
It's
a make-or-break-'em summer for these former rivals on the ramp. Aishwarya Rai,
with painful memories of Iruvar, Aur Pyar Ho Gaya, Jeans and Aa Ab
Laut Chale, is returning with Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal. And Sushmita
Sen, the flops and silicone hype now behind her, has Hindustan ki Kasam,
Sirf Tum and Biwi No. 1 lined up. Forget the box-office for a moment.
Says producer-director Sanjay Leela Bhansali: "Ash is a director's actress."
Ditto from Boney Kapoor: "Sushmita was my first choice." And the viewers'
choice? 
