Show Buzz

Late again

I really like Govinda and think that he is one of the industry8217;s finer actors. He even has the best set of teeth I have seen in Bollywood and is a better human being than most other filmis. But to be perfectly honest, there are certain thingsthat I will never like about him. This is why when a few weeks ago, his PRO called me to say that Govinda the perpetual latecomer had mended his ways, I decided to wait and watch. Everyone8217;s hunch was right. Govinda reported on time only for a few days. And then he was back to his old ways. But it was not for lack of trying. An insider tells me that Chichi really meant to change this time. Apparently, David Dhawan showed his favourite hero a trade magazine that had quoted all producers lamenting about his tardiness. Govinda was mortified and tried his best to report on time. But he could not sustain his resolve. At the risk of sounding cliched: a leopard can never change his spots, right?

Showman8217;s day

Will he or won8217;t he? This is probably the million dollar question that Akshaye Khanna, Anil Kapoor, Govinda, Aishwarya, Manisha and Mahima are asking themselves. Perhaps, they are even running to their astrologers for an answer. Subhash Ghai 8212; he prefers to be called friend8217;, rather thanshowman8217; these days 8212; announced his next film on his birthday, the other Sunday. But he didn8217;t announce the cast. Ghai likes to keep an ace up his sleeve and he kept the entire industry guessing all afternoon.

Ostensibly, the purpose of the lunch was to celebrate Ghai8217;s birthday and the silver jubilee of Pardes. The invitation letter said something about join your friend for blah blah8230;8217; The thing was meant to be classy a champagne brunch and all that. Only whoever designed the invite couldn8217;t spell champagne right.

Anyway, according to the punters Akshaye Khanna is in, while Anil Kapoor and Govinda are strong contenders. Big brother Boney, when asked, says that talks are still on. Jackie Shroff has also confided to close friends that he is in the film. Possibly, he may have a supporting actor8217;s role. As for the ladies, some say Aishwarya, others suggest Manisha, while still others think that Mahima will be Ghai8217;s choice again. After all, she should get a reward for her loyalty 8212; and all thoseappearances she makes with her godfather.

Love birds

Here8217;s some really juicy gossip. They may say there8217;s nothing on but Karisma Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan do spend a lot of time together. Apparently, Abhishek and Karisma often book an entire mini theatre to watch ABCL films.

Now that8217;s really romantic and private. But another tattler swears that the dashing hunk is currently having a scene with a starlet who is best known only for her flops. She is still to give us a hit in spite of so many releases. You have an idea of who we are talking about, don8217;t you?

Sister, sister

Neelam is back in the industry. But this time not as a sex bomb or leading lady. The Ooh La La babe has been signed for a sister8217;s role in Hum Saath Saath Hain. Everyone is wondering why Neelam accepted this role. The actress is known to be choosy and if she doesn8217;t get anything worthwhile, she doesn8217;t touch it. That8217;s why we think this role has more to offer than just being a prop to the other heroines.

GoSouth

Both Juhi Chawla and Madhuri Dixit are headed South. Now, you will probably think they are getting desperate. After all, it8217;s said that Bollywood only goes South when there are no films at hand. But this time it just isn8217;t true. For Madhuri may have some spare time on her hands 8212; though she still has an odd film here and there 8212; but Juhi is on a signing spree. And will be busy for the next one year at least. An industrywallah informs that it8217;s the lure of the lucre that makes the South irresistible.

The films are dubbed in so many languages that the producers can easily pay four to five times more than a Bollywood producer.

This explains why Sushmita Sen and Aishwarya Rai first went to Mollywood. They just wanted to make enough money, at the start, so that they can afford to be choosy in Bollywood 8212; that8217;s where it really matters, in the long run.