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Double takeBollywood is a strange town, you know. First they couldn't think of original storylines and now they are even running short of H...

Double take

Bollywood is a strange town, you know. First they couldn’t think of original storylines and now they are even running short of Hollywood stories. It’s not the first time that two or three films are being made simultaneously on one Hollywood blockbuster. A while back, the whole industry was inspired by Sleeping With The Enemy. There was Daraar and then Yaarana. Ironically, besides having a similar script, both films even had the same hero — Rishi Kapoor . If this wasn’t enough, Agnisakshi came along — which apart from a few twists and turns was pretty much the same. But while Daraar and Yaarana bombed, Agnisakshi was a hit. This time it’s Mrs Doubtfire that has people doubtless about a remake version being successful. While Kamal Hassan has waxed his face and gone drag for Chikni Chachi, Govinda has his falsies and wigs on for Aunty No 1. Both films, much as they may deny it, have got their story idea from Mrs Doubtfire. So the race is on and both Chikni Chachi and Aunty No 1 are being shot at a tremendous pace. Whichever film is released first will get the audiences.

Musical chairs

When the Big B bought the music rights of Itihaas along with a host of other films, he had probably thought he would soon make history in tinsel town. But his dreams, at this moment at least, seem shattered. However, the person who deserves sympathy is Raj Kanwar — who has made Itihaas and not Amitabh Bachchan. The music and its marketing determines a film’s success these days. But Big B’s music company didn’t do much for the film’s music. Apparently, about a fortnight before the release, Bachchan gave up and advised the makers of this Twinkle Khanna-Ajay Devgan starrer to approach T Series. If rumours are to believed, Super Cassettes is going to buy all the music rights from ABCL. Though it might all end well, with Gulshan Kumar getting a good deal and Bachchan getting a problem off his hands. But Amitabh could have been more professional and told Raj Kanwar what was in store, instead of letting him down at the last moment.

Getting serious

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Having proved his box-office worth, Shah Rukh Khan is now eyeing serious cinema. Or rather it’s the other way round. Directors who are known to make meaningful films have been approaching Khan. While Mani Ratnam has already signed him for his next project, we now hear that Shyam Benegal too, is keen on taking him on for his film Zubeda in which Manisha Koirala plays the title role. Currently though, the actor is recovering from yet another on- location mishap where he is supposed to have broken a bone or two. But Mani Ratnam can’t wait to start and it seems likely that the Benegal film will also come through.

Two timing

Armaan Kohli has this rich girl who is simply nuts about him. They say her name is Chaitali and her father’s a big diamond merchant. However it’s not as if the feelings are one sided. The two are now an item. They make it a point to walk in separately, but end up together. Saw them at Chunky’s party and more recently at Bijon Das Gupta’s bash as well. So where does this leave Pooja Batra? Well, the girl is better off concentrating on her career, for she apparently doesn’t make Armaan’s heart throb anymore.

Believe it or not…

* This gentleman called Vicky Kumar became a producer just for Sunny Deol. He is this angry hero’s die-hard fan and makes films only for him. First he made Angrakshak and now he is producing Zor which stars Sushmita Sen opposite the Jat.

* Steven Seagal refused to believe that Aditya Panscholi is an Indian when he met him for the first time. What’s more, he even offered to help him get roles in Hollywood. Did we just hear Gulshan Grover roar?

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* Subhash Ghai managed to include some incredible stunts in his forthcoming film, Pardes. The enterprising Shah Rukh Khan has done a whole song, bungy jumping in Las Vegas.

* Ajay Devgan doesn’t take any money for the films he signs. Before you think your hero is generous, Devgan just asks for one of the most expensive distribution territories for that film.