Sunday, November 4, 2001		Movie Magic

WILL Asoka be great? The guessing-game has become a big joke in Bollywood. Film folks can’t hide their sniggers when they talk about the (over) ambitious "epic" that Shah Rukh Khan has produced. After all, he is acting in the title role of the legendary emperor plucked out of the golden pages of India’s turbulent history.

Within a week of its release, (did I hear correctly that our man has booked more than 300 theatres worldwide... predominantly in the UK and the USA?) Obviously, this figure doesn’t include the thousands of cinema houses showing Asoka in India! "But for how long?" guffaw the wags — evidently already anticipating a thundering fall at the box office: sooner than later!

"Blue bucks" heroine Kareena Kapoor has, on the other hand, become the talk of Tinsel town — with her absolutely stunning and terrifically sensuous songs, dances, costumes and body language! As you all who’ve seen the movie could possibly not forget, the hot, hot vibes that comely Kapoor created in the cool, cool waters... have been nothing short of blistering!

As for Shah Rukh Khan, well, if I like him or his horse better.

Okay, the second edition of this unique directory of Indian Cinema’s music world is going to be released soon. And, like its predecessor, this one is so fat ‘n’ heavy that you’ll probably have to enlist the help of a coolie to lug it around!

That’s because it’s simply loaded with info, names, addresses, ads and profiles of anybody who can claim to be somebody in the melodious field of music of any sort, y’know. Brought out lavishly by The Performing & Creative Arts Trust, Mumbai, under the dynamic directorship of C.P. Joseph, Sa re ga ma is a treasure trove that no genuine music aficionado can possibly do without.

Dying to get your hands on a copy or two? Well, close your eyes, make your wish and shoot off an email request to pcat@indiavibes.com or sales@ragatorock.com Got it?

Sure sounds unlikely, to say the least, but the buzz is that Karisma Kapoor — the lovely "Lolo" of countless hit films and perhaps, the naughtiest, most glamorously gorgeous hot heroine ever — is going to quit the film industry shortly!

Currently shooting in foreign lands on an extensive, extended schedule, she was unavailable for comment. But a number of her producers and costars have been heard hinting (hush!) that Lolo is trying to wind up her pending work for some half a dozen under-production movies... which really would explain the long stint she’s busy doing. And eager to get it over with, in more ways than one!

Someone, stop her. Stop this wonderfully vivacious young woman (and truly talented actress) from committing hara-kiri.

In Mumbai for the Divali festivities, Ms Nene enthralled thousands of her fans and (still-ardent) admirers by participating in the Navratri dandiya raas...mixing ‘n’ mingling with the ecstatic crowds. And, of course, dancing away to glory barefeet!

She looked absolutely beautiful in her crimson pink designer ensemble and kept smiling that sexy, winsome smile of hers all through the three hours she was twirling ‘n’ swirling... with just about any one from the crowd who was adventurous enough to approach her. Woman, what a rush!

"I just have to be home at these occasions, otherwise it doesn’t feel the same at all," Madhuri gushed. "Like, I’ll make a quick visit to the USA shortly (hubby dear is there, after all!) but you can bet your bottom dollar that we’ll both be back in Bombay for all those firecrackers, whistling rockets and, naturally, the lovely, peace-bestowing Divali pooja that I love ‘n’ adore with all my heart..."