India's bin laden
October 1 in Srinagar was not as dramatic as September 11 in the US. But the attack on the J&K Assembly emphasises the reality that India continues to be a permanent victim of jehad, that the author of the blast is the bin Laden of Kandahar vintage.

Reclaiming The Faith
Despite Pakistan's extremist image, the country is home to a wide cross-section of people holding moderate views on religion. After the terrorist attacks on the US, it is this non-confrontationist lobby that is waging a coup against the militant and vocal religious extremists.

Ready To Strike
The US strategy to strike the Taliban includes making use of the Northern Alliance, favoured by Russia and Iran and distrusted by Pakistan. In its military pact with the front, the US should keep in mind the future power equations in Afghanistan.

EYECATCHERS

No Work After Play

The mid-1990s was a defining period for Doodarshan-it increased its repertoire from daily sops (to the government) to daily soaps (for the viewer). And Mandira Bedi in Shanti, an eponymous hack who sadly discovers she's illegitimate, became the favourite face of the afternoon. Now the serial queen, more popular with Kyunki Saas..., is featuring in the play Laughing Wild, an assemblage of monologues written by American Christopher Durang and adapted by Vikranth. But besides this, Bedi is avoiding more projects saying that she "needs time to take care of her husband". Viewers will have to do with re-runs, another Doordarshan speciality.

New Age Girl

Delhi college Miranda House seems to be the new breeding ground for modelling ... and analogous extensions like commercials, commercial cinema and open-jeep election campaigns. "That's because the college has very nice looking girls," says Reema Lamba, an alumna who first did ramp shows, an organic shampoo ad and now has the lead role in Romesh Sharma's Kab Kyun Aur Kahan opposite co-model Zulfi Syed. In true Mumbai style the actress has been asked by her bosses to keep her (already lowered) age static at 19 for a few more years.

Ad For The Lad

Suddenly 40-year-old Rajat Kapoor, also Preity Zinta's uncle in Dil Chahta Hai, is the most noticeable model on TV. You can spot him promoting sugar-free sweeteners, chomping a chocolate away from his wife's greedy eyes or tomtomming the gastronomic value of popcorn. The Mumbai stage, TV and film actor-director isn't new to modelling, but is surprised at the recent flood of offers. "They're all accidents," he says. "Modelling happened when I replaced a friend in an audition. Now I want an accident to get me funds for my next film." With offers pouring in, maybe he should peep into his own purse.

Tongue Tales

Abhishek Bachchan's Bengali speaks for itself-usually in monosyllables. So what's he doing in a Bengali film? It turns out that mother Jaya Bachchan, who's playing the lead in Raja Sen's Matribhoomi persuaded her son to act when she discovered that no one had been cast. (This is how Bachchan gets his breaks.) "The film is about a freedom fighter and her expat son, and didn't need Abhishek to speak in Bengali," explains Sen. "I was all set to change his lines to English, but he was determined to work hard and mug up his lines." Better if Sen had persisted.

—Compiled by Anshul Avijit

MetroScape

Looking Glass

Bangalore Gallery: Gallerie Zen

Delhi Handicrafts: Crafts Museum

With a dramatic fall in the viewership of Kaun Banega Crorepati, Star makes a last-ditch effort to prop up its ratings. INDIA TODAY's Himanshi Dhawan analyses the revival struggle of the pasha of programmes in
Survival Of The Fittest