Bloody Finale
In life, Phoolan Devi combined the brutal underbelly of India with political fame and glamour. Gunned down in Delhi, her death could become the occasion for a new round of caste conflict in Uttar Pradesh. Phoolan
is being reinvented posthumously.
A report.

Rule Of Outlaw
Dons and politicians enjoy a symbiotic relationship in Uttar Pradesh.

Back To The Trenches
Determined not to let up on its Kashmir-centric agenda, Pakistan has stepped up violence in the Valley. Indian security forces gear up to deal with the situation.

Revenge Of Badla People who lent money to stockbrokers for financing speculators through the badla system find themselves at the receiving end of yet another scam. And with little evidence to nail the accused, chances of recovery are dim.

The Peacenik
S.B. Deuba's rapport with the Maoists helped him become prime minister. Now he has to deal with their radical demands about the monarchy and secularism.

ENTERTAINMENT: CINEMA

Letter And Spirit

There's a new fad in the Hindi film industry: Baba Jummani's numerological advice. That's what made Tushar and Ekta Kapoor change the spellings of their names to Tusshar and Eakta. Eakta has even followed Jummani's advice in naming her teleserials. So you have Kkusum and Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki. Sonu Nigam now spells his name as Sonu Niigam and Annu Malik has omitted an "n" to become Anu Malik. At least for Ekta Kapoor, ooops, Eakta, it has worked wonders. Will it do the same for Tusshar? Watch this space!

LUCKY STAR

Amisha Patel is feeling on top of the world, what with her second release, Gadar, being such a success. "My achievements are my own," she says. "I have no mentor or godfather." She has four major releases this year: David Dhawan's Family No.1, Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage with Hrithik Roshan, Tip's Pyaar Hi Pyaar Hai and Rahe Na Rahe Hum with Ajay Devgan. Also a heroine-oriented film called Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar.

Playing Mom

Ageless Rekha is playing mother now. And sonny boy is none other than Hrithik Roshan. At an awards function last year, the still ravishing Rekha had said she wished she had a son like Hrithik. It seems her wish has come true with Koi Mil Gaya. After the stupendous success of Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, Rakesh Roshan has launched another production with son Hrithik and Preity Zinta. There's more sex appeal in the form of Jackie Shroff, who is playing a father in the film. A far cry from Nirupa Roy and Prithviraj Kapoor.

Q&A

JACKIE SHROFF
"I Want To Play A Variety Of Characters"

He was almost written off, but suddenly his career is blossoming. Jackie Shroff on Yaadein and acting:

Q. What's your take on Yaadein?
A. I have a long and substantial role. It's a Subhash Ghai film and expectations are obviously high. Yaadein is based on a story of a father and his three daughters. I play a real cool father whom I would like every father to emulate.

Q. Are you playing father in many films?
A. This is the second one and that's it. I want to play a variety of characters and leave my mark as the most versatile actor. My children should be proud of their father. My next release, Sandhya, is a horror film, and I play an assassin. I am Ravan in Maryada Purushottam.

BOX OFFICE

AKS *
WEEKS IN RELEASE: 1
COLLECTIONS: Rs 47,13,739
Despite Amitabh Bachchan's great performance, this Fallen inspiration fails to impress.

TUM BIN * *
WEEKS IN RELEASE: 1
COLLECTIONS: Rs 9,76,555
Foursome's love story has limited emotional appeal.

Good * * *
Average * *
Flop *

Mumbai collections only.
Source: Trade magazines

—Compiled by Sheela Raval

MetroScape

Looking Glass

Kolkata Restaurant: Ambi

Bangalore Rock Concert: Scorpions

Starved of resources and bogged down
by mismanagement, pilferage and irregularities, Punjab's civil aviation is in an utter mess. INDIA TODAY's Special Correspondent Ramesh Vinayak reports in
Airsick