Lucky at last

At a time when the music business is going through its lowest phase, a surprise hit comes in the form of the Sur soundtrack, which has sold ...

At a time when the music business is going through its lowest phase, a surprise hit comes in the form of the Sur soundtrack, which has sold a record number of units in just a fortnight since its release. Nobody could be happier than Lucky Ali, who has contributed a bunch of tracks to the album, and who also stars as the male lead. In fact, Lucky has two releases back to back… Close on the heels of Sur will come action-flick Kaante. And the PNC banner (which is releasing both films) seem so impressed with the singer-actor, that they’re all set to announce their third film with him.

Ash to Ash

YOU would think with the way her career is going, she would need to sign all the exciting films coming her way… Alas, who knows what’s going on in Aishwarya Rai’s head. Recently approached with a starring role in a film opposite It Boy Vivek Oberoi, Ash turned down the offer. Apparently, she cited no dates. She’s doled them all out to the Yash Chopra flick opposite — of all people — Abhishek Bachchan.

Short, My Sweet

TELEPHONIC conversations with loved ones are out, the in-thing is SMS. Aftab Shivdasani was the first to use it with Esha Deol, in the days Amma Deol kept a very strict eye on Dream Girl Junior. The latest to join the SMS bandwagon is Sanjay Dutt. Who is he SMSing? His friends say it’s model-turned actress Cleo Issacs, who gets image messages and love poems every 10 minutes. The best part of the deal, no one knows unless you tell.

So Far Away

THERE’S no doubt that Bipasha Basu is creating waves in Bollywood. Her success graph has been moving upward ever since she replaced ramps with film sets. The flipside, however, is her disastrous personal life. No, we are not talking about her ever-changing men-friends Dino Morea, John Abraham and Milind Soman. Apparently, Bipasha’s parents, who live in Kolkata, are very upset with her, because she hasn’t bothered to stay in touch with them ever since her career started doing well. Tch tch, Bips.

Nagging Doubt

After Madhuri Dixit, now Tabu is M F Husain’s latest obsession. Could this be a publicity stunt, or do you think he’s really smitten by her?

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Nasir: ‘‘It’s a publicity gimmick — publicity for both Tabu and Husain.’’

Tanaaz Currim: ‘‘There is no limit to man’s obsession. I believe that Husain is truly obsessed with Tabu.’’

Mukesh Tiwari: ‘‘It’s probably a publicity stunt. In any case, I think Tabu is a candidate worthy of Husain’s attention.’’

Madhur Bhandarkar: ‘‘Perhaps he is really obsessed with Tabu. After all, she has immense screen presence and abundant talent.’’

THE NEXT BEST THING

SHE’S Hollywood’s most dependable star when it comes to romantic-comedies. Even a messy showbiz-style separation from her husband Dennis Quaid hasn’t dampened her box-office stranglehold. In fact, her popularity easily transcends geographical boundaries — after all, she has inspired some of our leading ladies’ most memorable Bollywood roles…

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• Kajol in Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, inspired by Meg Ryan’s role in French Kiss
• Esha Deol in Na Tum Jano Na Hum inspired by Meg Ryan’s role in You’ve Got Mail
• Sonali Bendre in Dil Hi Dil Mein, inspired by Meg Ryan’s role in You’ve Got Mail

ED summons former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa in illegal betting app case

India1 min ago

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for his involvement in the alleged illegal betting app 1xBet. The ED is also investigating former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, as well as celebrities Mimi Chakraborty, Urvashi Rautela, and Ankush Hazra for their association with the app.

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