Vickey Lalwani, Rohini Iyer

Jackie says 'I'm fine'

The city has been abuzz with rumours of an attempt on Jackie Shroff's life.

Shroff, who is shooting in Hyderabad, shrugs off the rumours. In trademark style, he says, "I am fine, biddu. I don't know how these stories started. Even the cops called to ask if I am okay. There is talk about some shootout. Utter nonsense! Thanks for calling guys. Just want to tell everyone I am fine."

Diya is hot 'n' happenin'

All her four films -- Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein, Deewanaapan, Tumko Na Bhool Payenge and the latest Dum -- have fallen flat at the box-office.

Diya Mirza will now feature in Mahesh Manjrekar's Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav, Khalid Mohamed's Tahzeeb, Govind Nihalani's next and Amol Shirke's project.

"I am playing the central character in all these films. I have a powerful role in Govind Nihalani's film starring Namrata Shirodkar and Sharad Kapoor. In Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav, I am playing Padmashree. And Laloo, Prasad and Yadav are three different characters who are in love with me. In Tahzeeb, I have a mind-blowing role with Shabana Azmi and Urmila Matondkar. Shirke's script is the icing on the cake, it is based completely on my character," says a pleased Diya.

Musical heights

Himesh Reshammiya is happy. His score for Pantaloon Rave's Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne has set the cash registers ringing. 

"Rajesh Roshan wanted to do the music. He told Zayed (the film's hero, Zayed Khan) to push his case. Zayed was adamant about me. Rajesh himself called to congratulate me. He told me, 'Let bygones be bygones. I have no grudge against you.' 

Parvin in Mondo Moderno

Parvin Dabas, who got popular with his role in Monsoon Wedding, is now the main lead in an Israeli-American co-production. Mondo Moderno (which means Modern World in Italian) is to be directed by Avi Nesher and distributed by Miramax Films.

The plot revolves around an Indian Jewish family that migrates to Israel. "It is a crazy surrealistic film about a culture clash," explains Parvin.

Asked if the film will be released in India and if people here would relate to it, he asserts, "It will hit select theatres here. The human spirit is basically the same, no matter what part of the world you are in or come from. Today, the concept of crossover films has caught on. The makers of Mondo Moderno are going to benefit from it."

Apart from this film, he has bagged meaty roles in Babloo Pachisia's Muskaan, Farhan Akhtar's Lakshya, Anil Sharma's The Hero and Raju Mavani's forthcoming movie.

Nadeem turns singer

Nadeem Saifi has sung the title song for Yeh Dil starring Tusshar Kapoor and Natassha. Apparently, Nadeem's voice sounds perfect on the boyish Tusshar.

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