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.

EYECATCHERS

After Effects

Gracy Singh

Amisha Patel

Aamir Khan and Sunny Deol have enjoyed reams of newsprint after Lagaan and Gadar. But their leading ladies Gracy Singh and Amisha Patel? They don't even have the time to think. Singh, who debuted in Lagaan, "wakes up to the ring of the phone everyday". Patel (eclipsed by Hrithik Roshan in Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai) has no time to idle with mom Asha who has lost count of the films she has signed: Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage with Hrithik, Kya Yahi Pyar Hai with Aftab Shivdasani and more. Singh, who has seen Lagaan seven times, has "countless offers" but is "waiting for a Karan Johar or a Yash Chopra to happen". And yes, she will don minis if she has to.

Bang On

Not all Mumbai girls who land films down south strike gold. But Richa Pallod did. Her Telugu debut Nuvve Kavaali got her a Filmfare Award for Best Actress, first try. Recall the young Sridevi in Yash Chopra's weepie Lamhe? That was Pallod. Now 20, with 65 ads, a clutch of music videos and stage roles behind her, she is stepping on the accelerator: there's Bharathiraja's Ali Arjuna and D. Rama Naidu's Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Main Kahoon with Fardeen Khan. From Mumbai to Hyderabad and back, it's been an eventful journey.

Dressing The Boys

The Indian cricket team is in for an image makeover. Disregarding their terrible form, Mumbai designer Rocky S. has promised the boys a new wardrobe. The fashion-conscious team has often grumbled about the official gear handed them by the Cricket Board. Rocky shows nothing but says the new line-practice, play, travel and formal-will be in "stretch fabrics that breathe". Can't blame the clothes for the cricket anymore, boys.

On a New High

So what if he got pulled up for cocaine and controversy? It certainly catapulted him to the front pages. And interestingly, Fardeen Khan, 29, hasn't stopped making news since. Post his Kambakht ishq jig with Urmila Matondkar in Pyar Tune Kya Kiya, Bollywood's latest pin-up boy seems to be on a new high. He's just made his modelling debut with men's line Provogue-which till now had model John Abraham beaming out of its ads. An elusive "guess who the new model is" campaign led to the Mumbai announcement last week. "I am really excited," drawls Khan. "It's an extension of my interest in fashion and clothes." So what next? Coke?

—By Methil Renuka

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