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Subhash Ghai really has everyone guessing: Is Mahima Choudhari really not in his film Taal? This piece of information is really tough to swallow. After all, he was taking such a keen personal interest in Mahima’s career — telling her what to accept and what to reject. He even took time out from showmangiri to sit with producers, or directors, to discuss the offers they were making. And now, when it comes to his own project, she isn’t featuring anywhere. Will Aishwarya Rai really be the only heroine opposite Anil Kapoor and Akshaye Khanna? Whatever it is, Ghai loves to keep tongues wagging and the industry is obliging — the speculation is ceaseless.

Some industrywallahs say that they have reliably learnt that Ash will be the girl opposite Akshaye, leaving a slot vacant for Mahima. But who knows? The same people feel that Mahima’s name may just be announced a little later. Whatever happens, Ghaiisn’t losing his pretty-faced protegee. According to trade circles, he has gifted Mahima a car. Now, this does sound very plausible. After all, he had gifted an Opel each to Nadeem and Shravan when he announced Pardes. The question is: Is the gift just to pacify her or is it a clue of things yet to come? Ghai alone knows.

Going solo?

Meanwhile, the rumours about Shravan being offered the music of Taal, have finally been dismissed as hogwash. A R Rahman is providing the score and there are no two ways about it. People are now saying that perhaps it was Shravan himself, who was spreading these rumours to revive his career. Meanwhile, Shravan’s sons have already begun their film career by signing a Vimal Kumar film. So while Shravan would like us believe that he is waiting for Nadeem to return before signing a film, his detractors think otherwise. They feel that it is indeed Nadeem, the notorious one, who actually had the talent.

One too many

It was Coolie No 1 that started this number onebusiness. And it’s not just Govinda who has cashed in on it, ever since Coolie… became a hit. With Hero No 1 producer Vashu Bhagnani also started believing that one is indeed his lucky number. So, he went ahead and announced another film titled Biwi No 1, starring Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor. Now, he plans to announce yet another one in this series — Beta No 1. But he says this may just be the last one and thankfully, he will put a full stop to this numbers business. Everyone has really gone overboard. While Govinda himself went and titled his film Aunty No 1, there have also been other significant movies like Khiladi No 1 and even Chudail No 1, if you please. They don’t really sound number one anymore. It is about time that the industrywallahs strike off this number from their titles.

Mother tongue

Rahul Roy won’t give up easily. Well isn’t that the way everyone should be? So what if he wasn’t offered any Hindi movies — he took to direction and now he has signed a Marathi filmas a hero. Titled Chhava which means the lion’s cub, it is going to bring Rahul back on to the silver screen. So, now it’s back to the classroom for him. Just like he took Hindi lessons after Mahesh Bhatt signed him for Aashiqui, now he is taking Marathi lessons. Roy is confident that he will be able to speak the language. May be he is right but the only hitch is that earlier we heard him speak Hindi with a Punjabi accent, now we will have to hear his Marathi with a Punju touch to it.

Go slow

Rakesh Roshan usually takes about 11 months to complete his films and he is known for his speed and quality direction. But when it comes to another producer’s film, Roshan really slows down. He has finally completed Karobar starring Rishi Kapoor, Anil Kapoor and Juhi Chawla after three years of dilly-dallying. But now everything about the film seems stale. And not just the star cast. But it might just work in Roshan’s favour. While Rishi has almost given up hero roles, Anil and Juhi have regained theirpopularity. When the film started they were on their way down. Anyway, if Anil can make a comeback, why not Rishi? At least, that’s what the tubby actor-turned-director must be secretly thinking or hoping.