Syndrome X
Studies show that Indians are genetically predisposed to physiological symptoms collectively called Syndrome X. This makes them highly susceptible to heart disease. Fortunately, technology can help detect coronary artery disease at an early stage.

Peace By Piece
Having failed to make headway with the cease-fire, the Centre is now trying to talk peace on Kashmir, internally through its negotiator K.C. Pant and externally with Pakistan's Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf. But will anything come out of this?

Good Monsoon
So What?
The traditional link between the monsoon and the economy weakens.

Slippery Deal
The ONGC subsidiary's whopping Rs 8,136 crore investment was signed in indecent haste.

ENTERTAINMENT: CINEMA

Riding The Soap Bubbles

Frolicking under a waterfall seems to help, especially If it's with a "lime and lemony" soap. Take Preity Zinta, the 1996 Liril girl, whose perkiness won her a role in Mani Ratnam's Dil Se. Or the 1999 Liril model Hrishita Bhatt. The advertisment got her a music video and a role in the opulent Ashoka The Great. The latest, Tara Sharma, had already signed three movies before she shot for the soap film. She says she "can't wait to see the ad". What she means is she can't wait to be flooded by even more offers.

Playing God

Post KBC, the sky's the limit for Amitabh Bachchan. From cola promos to playing God. In Arjun Sajnani's Agni-Varsha based on the Mahabharat, he plays Lord Indra. In Sanjay Khan's Ramayan, Bachchan plays King Dashrath while Jackie Shroff is Ravana. He's also in talks to play Shahjahan in Bharat Bala's Taj Mahal and none other but son Abhishek will play the younger Shahjahan. Quite a history lesson for someone who has given the genre a miss, except when he nearly played King Sudhodhana in Mira Nair's shelved Buddha a decade ago. Guess it's his trademark French beard that will have to be shelved for these roles.

Q&A: Tusshar
"I learn from my flaws"

The latest in the star son-daughter saga, Jeetendra's 24-year-old son Tusshar made his debut in Vashu Bhagnani's Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hain. He speaks about his performance and future.

Q. What's your take on your debut?
A. MKKH is getting good reviews. Critics don't bother me much. But I take my flaws as valuable learning experiences.

Q. Are you yet another chocolate hero?
A. No. I'm not trying to break any mould but I am being offered a range of roles.

Q. Do you feel overshadowed by Kareena Kapoor? She's getting rave reviews.
A. The audience was kept guessing about my identity. But we got equal appreciation.

Q. Where do you go from here?
A. I'm doing two films with Esha Deol. I also want to enjoy my work.

Did You Know...

Khetrapal

In Manoj Kumar's sai baba in the late 1970s, it was Sudhir Dalvi who played the Baba. He is reprising the role in a coming film. But that is not the real news. It is Aushim Khetrapal, the much-talked-about name in the match-fixing mess that unfolded after Hansie Cronje's confession last year. England allrounder Chris Lewis told the police that Khetrapal had tried to bribe him into throwing away a Test match, prompting Scotland Yard to probe the former sports management honcho. But all this does not seem to have bothered Khetrapal, who has turned producer-cum-actor. In his film, shot mostly at exotic locales in Los Angeles and Chicago, he plays a wealthy NRI who is blessed by the Baba. Khetrapal must be blessed: he is launching four new projects as producer.

Box Office

Ek Rishtaa **
Weeks in release: 1
Collections: Rs 90,78,499
The emotional overdose boomeranged but action king Akshay Kumar is impressive.

*** Good
** Average
* Flop

--Natasha Irani, Sheela Raval and Sandeep Unnithan

MetroScape

Delhi Beauty Treatment: American Laser Centre

Delhi Cinema: Women

Delhi Coffee Bar: Qwiky's