AFTER the stupendous success of Bend It Like Beckham across the world (the film is still on Top 10 charts in some countries, including Australia), filmmaker Gurinder Chadha wants to try her hand at something bigger. In collaboration with Hollywood producer Deepak Nayar and Bollywood production company iDreams, she will launch a crossover movie with at least one or two big stars from India. Aishwarya Rai, one hears, has already been in discussions with Chadha. There is also some talk of Aamir Khan having been sent a script. The Receiving End NOBODY’S stopped laughing since they heard this. Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta and his team of writers were robbed by what they suspect was a group of adivasis in Khandala. The filmi lot, tired after hours spent tweaking the script of Gupta’s new production Plan, passed out in the bungalow they’d borrowed for the weekend. When they woke up the next morning, they discovered all their personal belongings gone. Gupta’s DVD player, his Rolex watch, his mobile phone, the writers’ clothes, their shoes, their bags — all of it was gone! Gupta promptly filed a police complaint, but returned home a poorer man. Industry gossips are joking that Gupta may have finally learnt what it feels like to have been stolen from for a change — after all, he’s been on the other side of the fence, stealing things (read scripts and plot ideas!) for a long time himself! Bollywood Dreams NOW that Devdas is an undisputed hit and is basking in early Oscar buzz, Bharat Shah is getting ready for a second innings in the movie business. According to insiders in the film trade, the richie-rich diamond merchant will soon announce his latest project, a biggie to be directed by Ramgopal Varma, and starring Bharatbhai’s favourite actor, Shah Rukh Khan. If the project does happen, it will be the first time Varma and Khan will have come together after several aborted efforts on the part of the filmmaker. Sources close to the Mohabbatein star say Shah Rukh was never too keen to feature opposite Ramu’s favourite actress Urmila Matondkar. But now that the director himself has moved on to younger and prettier things (read Antara Mali), Shah Rukh really doesn’t have much reason to complain. Queen of the Cast ALL those who say there’s trouble brewing in Shah Rukh Khan’s friendship with Juhi Chawla, should get their facts checked. Not only is Juhi actively involved in all production responsibilities of the Aziz Mirza film that Shah Rukh is starring in with Rani Mukherjee, she also flew to Malaysia last week with SRK, Rani and Saif Ali Khan for a series of stage shows. And the old camaraderie between Juhi and Shah Rukh was still very much the same, everyone insists. It’s Aishwarya, whom Shah Rukh has had a problem with, ever since that episode in Pune where Salman Khan disturbed a shoot and roughed up both Shah Rukh and Ash. Nagging DoubtLagaan made the Oscar shortlist but didn’t bring back the trophy. Does Devdas have a brighter chance at Oscar glory?
