Anything To Declare, Mr Verma?
The arrest of the Central Board of Excise & Customs chairman has revealed the rot that has set in the premier revenue- collection authority. An inside story of his assets, and rise to position of power. Plus: The sex and smuggling controversy arising from his dubious links with Uzbek nationals.

The Silk Route
The Customs played an active role in a smuggling racket by Uzbek couriers that could have compromised the nation's security.

Rites Of Passage Despite stringent internal controls, the CBEC is one of the most sullied departments in the country.

The Earth Citizen
The former United States president returns to India to share the sorrows of quake-hit Gujarat.

In Quest Of Numbers
There's a scramble for winning combinations, from caste-based alliances in Tamil Nadu to political pragmatism in Bengal and Assam.

Green And Bear It
The Delhi Government's complacency leads to a bumpy ride for commuters.

Free At Last
Removal of quantitative restrictions on all imports will transform the Indian market like never before.

CINEMA: HEROINES

"I Never Thought I'd Be A Mainstream Heroine"

Producers looking for more smouldering Indian looks turn to Bipasha Basu. In 1996, she took the modelling world by storm when she won the Indian Ford Supermodel Contest. She went to bag third place internationally and worked in New York and Paris. Bipasha caught the eye of Jaya Bachchan and J. P. Dutta who convinced her to accept Abhishek Bachchan's originally planned debut film Aakhri Mughal. The film was eventually shelved but Bipasha was hooked. "I never thought I'd be a mainstream heroine," she says, "but I love to act and want to do roles that I would like to see myself in."

An Indian appeal also helped television actress Gracy Singh land the coveted role of Gauri, a perky village girl in Aamir Khan's Lagaan. Gracy, a face familiar from the popular serial Amanat, has been kept in near-seclusion by producer Aamir. She isn't giving any interviews yet but director Ashutosh Gowariker is all praise. He says, "There were four important factors that governed the casting: one, the actress needed to have an earthy rustic appeal; two, she had to be a trained classical dancer; three, since I was doing synchronised sound there was no scope for any dubbing, which meant the actress had to hit the right intonations in her dialogue delivery at the first go itself, finally, she had to complement Aamir. Gracy met all four requirements." In fact, she adapted quickly to the difficult "awadhi dialect" in the film.

Esha Deol, daughter of superstar parents Dharmendra and Hema Malini, hardly needed an introduction in Bollywood. But she too has chosen an unconventional debut: Boney Kapoor's Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche, a story of the bond between two women in which she pits her talents opposite veteran Jaya Bachchan. Says Kapoor: "I needed a girl with no image, someone who is attractive, talented and has a mysterious look, like she could have a past. Esha is confident. She really has it in her." Film Information's Komal Nahta is also putting his money on Esha: "The pedigree will ensure enough curiosity."

Of course, what matters finally are the films and the roles. While projecting glamour is essential, none of the girls is settling for the usual prop-heroine status. Says Bipasha: "I'm very aware that models get especially stereotyped and I'm trying to fight that as much as I can."

It's an uphill climb and how well they have succeeded will become apparent in the coming months as several debut films hit the screen. "God has been kind so far," says Priyanka, "and I don't think he will change his mind." Perhaps both producers and viewers will then have a better choice.

MetroScape

Rock Solid
Here's the big truth for those who doubted the band's durability: Deep Purple is still together--and after 33 years of full-detonation rocking.
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Looking Glass

Delhi Exhibition:
Ghislaine Aarsse Prins

Delhi Restaurant:
Art Diva Cafe

Mumbai Bar:
Starboard Bar