Bench Mark

Tara Iyer has decided to be the Sania Mirza of the American campus. The 17-year-old from Hyderabad, who has played in the junior US Open, French Open and Wimbledon, has been snapped up by Duke University, US. Iyer will join the 2005-6 class in the Fall term and play tennis for her college team. "I am hoping to get my degree as well as hone my tennis skills," says Iyer. Game, set, honours, did you say?

Trick and Treat

What better band to compose a number for a film called Bluff Master than Trickbaby? This UK-based band, known for its musicians of Asian origin and notes inspired by the East, contributes four tracks to the Rohan Sippy film starring Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra. It is remix all the way, including a new version of Trickbaby's hit number Nine parts of desire. The band members will also feature in a video with Bachchan. "He gave me some tips on dancing," says lead vocalist Saira Hussain. Watch out for Aby baby with Trickbaby.

Making Waves

She is young, bubbly and all set to paint Mumbai red. Most fm junkies are familiar with radio jockey Malishka's Mumbaiyya effervescence and, after a brief hiatus, she is back on air with a brand new show, Morning # 1, for Red FM 93.5. "If it is on your mind, it is on the show," says the quirky and funny RJ, who is ever ready with oneliners. From tracking down star-turned-MP Govinda, when marooned Mumbaikars were desperately searching for him, to getting actor Aftab Shivdasani on air from his hospital bed, Malishka promises her listeners "lots of action". Stay tuned.

Miss In Action

She is the latest Bengali bombshell to enter the Bollywood fray. Tanushree Dutta hadn't even relinquished her Miss India crown when film offers began pouring in. "When I won the title I knew I would get offers," she smiles. "I just wanted to make the right debut." That day has arrived. She has landed a role in Vivek Agnihotri's Chocolate. Coming up is a brave "sans make-up" look in Rokda. Here's a beauty queen who is willing to go the extra mile and look a little less beautiful onscreen.

-Compiled by Kimi Dangor

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