Bungle in the Jungle

He's given sleepless nights to two state governments, but for some folks he's just another joker. So Malayalam film maker Sunil (just Sunil, nothing more, nothing less) is making Korappan the Great, a comic parody on the life of The Sandalwood Smuggler. "But unlike jungle king Veerappan, Korappan is a bungle king," claims popular comedian Mamukkoya, who's been picked for the part. Great choice—in costume, his resemblance to the bandit is eerie. But, says the actor, "This is the story of a simpleton who is a pawn in the hands of some real crooks." A man who looks like Veerappan and is used, for that reason, by a gang of smugglers. So the story is that this is not the story of Veerappan's life. We did say it's a comedy, didn't we?

Sweetie, We Want Spice

You may not think it just looking at her, but Suchitra Krishnamoorthy has done it. Yes, the sweet little wife of director Shekhar Kapur, also pop singer and heroine of Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na, has landed the part of Ginger Spice in Spiceworld, a film on the British pop group, Spice Girls. Says the Dole dole girl: "I want a total change from my teenager image to a more mature person." In this case, read: weird hairdos, wacky makeup, clothes that are sometimes there, sometimes not. But ask her what she wants, what she really, really wants and she says: "I'd like to concentrate on my singing. I'm doing this role only because of the singing." Aha, so that's what she wanna wanna.

Oh Tora!

Her father named her after the war film Tora Tora Tora, now Tora Khasgir is invading Mumbai. Says the winner of the Britannia Gladrags Mega Model '97 contest: "I knew I'd place somewhere, but winning was a surprise." Shouldn't have been. At 5 ft 8 1/2 inches, with a body that would defrost your freezer, Khasgir is more than just noticeable. And she's the epitome of political correctness. "People are accepting a different sort of beauty," says the 20-year-old who claims to be the first model from Guwahati. But this belle won't take things for granted—she plans a business, "preferably leather exports". Says Khasgir: "I'm just the flavour of the month." But wow, what a flavour!

Multiple Coup

Trust Girish Karnad to do things in style. The renowned theatre and film actor-writer-director is making Swaraj Nama, a teleserial to mark 50 years of Indian Independence, and just look what he's got lined up: film actor and Karnataka minister Anant Nag for one, who stars as Tipu Sultan; and cine queen of yore Waheeda Rahman playing the queen of Awadh, Begum Hazrat Mahal. Says Nag in between takes and calls on his cellphone to his office: "It's a good break from politics where you are into a different kind of drama." Adds Karnad: "We are trying to be as authentic as possible." With little touches like these: poet Javed Akhtar on location in Khairabad near Lucknow, narrating the story of his great-grandfather's hanging in 1857. "I love history," says Karnad, "and I want it to come alive." At this rate we can almost see it breathing.

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