Vandals Of History Afghanistan's Taliban regime remains undeterred from its hard-line agenda of destroying historically valuable Buddhist idols. A look at the present regime and its slide to orthodox fundamentalism at a time when a drought has ravaged its economy and people.

Taking On the Family
Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Yadav is once again facing a tough fight for survival--this time prompted by a near revolt in the RJD fuelled by rumours of a dynastic takeover. Ranjan Yadav has emerged as a potential rival to Rabri Devi, enjoying the support of both the party rebels and the NDA allies.

Chennai Confusion
The upshot of the great Tamil circus: Jayalalitha needs Moopanar, but not the Congress.

Creepy Acquisition
With Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha determined to bring corporate payslips comprehensively into the taxman's dragnet, the salaried class is having a few palpitations. For them, it means that a long era of tax-free emoluments is coming to an end.

"Indians lack unity"
Two of cricket's finest brains met for a rare conversation:Bishen Singh Bedi takes on the role of interviewer for Aaj Tak, seeking to get into the mind of Australian captain Stephen Waugh.

Revenge Of the Bears The sudden fall in share-prices points to yet another rigging controversy, and raises questions about the efficacy and credibility of SEBI as a regulator.

ENTERTAINMENT: CINEMA

Q&A: REKHA

Zubeidaa proved that 'Madam' still packs a punch.
Rekha on roles, scripts and marriage:

Q. What kind of roles are you seeking now?
A. I never seek anything. Directors who know what they want come to me. I'm ready to try anything. It's not the length of the role or that I won't play a mother. Today, I can even play a man. The bottom line is to have fun and enjoy life.

Q. Why have you avoided TV so far?
A. I must have a clear picture of what I'm doing. Like Chi Chi bhaiya. His show is a perfect fit. I want to do something that is really me. Money is not a reason to do it. I'm also being offered plays. But I need to get inspired. Right now, I'm open to everything except marriage.

A MUST SEE
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

# 10 Oscar nominations
# 2 Golden Globe Awards
# 4 BAFTA Awards
# $ 100 million in worldwide earnings
# The highest grossing foreign film in the United States
# Spectacular stunts choreographed by The Matrix's
Yuen Wo Ping
# Stars Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh

BOX OFFICE

KASOOR * * *
Weeks in release: 4
Collections: Rs 14,12,762
The non-star cast whodunit keeps audiences and distributors happy, especially in Mumbai.

AASHIQ * * *
Weeks in release: 5
Collections: Rs 2,12,310
Indra Kumar, Bobby Deol, Karisma: even their combined talents can't deliver a hit.

GRAHAN * * *
Weeks in release: 2
Collections: Rs 2,99,572
A compelling film but long in the making-Grahan is quickly eclipsed at the box office.

* * * Good
* * * Average
* * * Flop

Mumbai collections only
Source: Trade magazines

TWINKLE TOES

She made headlines for her rush-hush wedding to Akshay Kumar. But few know that last month Twinkle Khanna also made her stage debut. In Feroze Khan's All The Best, Khanna plays the object of desire for three friends: one deaf, one blind and one dumb. The play debuted in Dubai and soon the actress will be off for an American tour. Twinkle may have a bimbette image in Bollywood but Khan, who has worked with the likes of Shabana Azmi and Kiron Kher, is impressed. "She is the most disciplined actress I've ever seen. She wanted to experience a more real kind of life and was most keen to do theatre. She's very bright and has a real sense of commitment." So much so that one day after her wedding, Twinkle was back at rehearsals. No bimbo this.

THIS IS WHERE THE STARS LIVE

-- Compiled by Anupama Chopra

MetroScape
Triple Act
What I would love to do more than anything else in the world is to write another play," says Gurcharan Das. "But I don't know if I have the courage." He should have dollops of it, going by the audience reaction to his 9 Jakhoo Hill--performed to mark the release of Three English Plays by Das --at Delhi's India Habitat Centre
last week.
more...

Looking Glass

Delhi and Mumbai: Adventure One Sport

Mumbai: Smooth Bar

Delhi: Good Earth Showroom

Polo, like many other events, is bringing about the resurgence of the almost forgotten royals. A chance, writes INDIA TODAY's Principal Correspondent Anshul Avijit, to say Maharaja again with an unctuous post-modernist gusto in Despatches.

"The only obvious competition is in bhangra," say the Pakistani duo of the music group, Strings, in conversation with INDIA TODAY's Sonia Faleiro in
Interviews.