Who's the Nepalese nerd?
We had no clue that we would be in for a big surprise when we did a raincheck visit at Manya's house. Curled in a corner was the gorgeous Manisha pouring over Da Vinci Code. Seeing us come she put away the book and greeted us but what caught our attention besides her achingly beautiful face, was the mini library that she had erected in her pad. We couldn't help but exclaim, 'Mind blowing, Manya!'

“Well, thanks, I have a 1000 titles stacked in there” she said, helping us to some chilled apple juice. While we savored the divine drink, she was gulping down bitter karela juice. And before we shot our question, she tells us, “Yeah, I know, I am keen on getting back into shape, actually Ritesh, my fitness instructor is keener. He keeps me on a leash; he is a tough daddy you see. The karela juice and a strict diet is an evil he has put me on!” the actress smiles.

We still haven't got over her treasure trove as we wonder aloud, 'Has she always been this book lover?' “Totally, books are immense in its nature. Like you saw, I have the Da Vinci Code and The Alchemist among bestsellers. I also enjoy autobiographies and biographies. I am very curious about the lives that others in my fraternity lead. It has always fascinated me. I feel there is so much I can learn from them” she points out. “Right now I am reading Arnie's 'The New Encyclopedia on modern body building. And I can't bring myself to put it down” says the Bollywood beauty.

Now she too joins the elite list of Bollywood actresses like Kajol and Preity who have a famous appetite for books. “Well, I didn't know about that, until you told me now. But Mr.Bachchan and Shahrukh are two people who are extremely well-read. Throw any topic at them and they can talk it for hours” she gests.

Does she ever feel like a nerd among the regular party-hearty crowd? “I don't know whether I qualify as a nerd. I actually take pride in the fact that I am a voracious reader. Take books out of my life and I'll perish!” she exclaims. Well, for now we'll leave you to live, Manya' we remark as we say our byes to the Nepalese.

Bollywood fails to cut mafia links despite global fame

Mumbai, July 15 Despite scripting a success story in the overseas markets and earning billions of dollars in revenue, India's prolific Hindi film industry has not been able to break out of the clutches of the underworld.

Experts say the disclosure of Salman Khan's alleged phone conversations with actress Aishwarya Rai in which the macho film star admitted to his links with the underworld has again brought into focus the mafia's control over the industry.

During the taped conversions in August 2001, Salman reportedly threatened Aishwarya with dire consequences if she didn't perform for the show of underworld don Abu Salem, an accused in the Mumbai serial bombing case. Although contents of the explosive taped conversations have been made public after four years, experts say there is nothing stale about the underworld's nexus with Bollywood - as the Hindi film industry is popularly known.

"The latest revelations really come as a setback for the industry that has been taking rapid strides in the last couple of years to establish its brand name in the global market," said noted film industry analyst Taran Adarsh.
"Although the influence of the underworld may also be there in other industrial sectors, the image of the entire Bollywood industry gets adversely affected by these revelations because of glamour and its reach," Adarsh told IANS.

"It's really unfortunate that the whole film industry is put under the scanner when cases like these involving one or two individuals come out in the open."

Although Salman's lawyer Dipesh Mehta has refuted claims of his client's links with the underworld saying the tape had been fabricated, Bollywood's nexus with the mostly foreign-based mafia is as old as the industry itself. In July 2002, tapes of "friendly" phone conversation between Sanjay Dutt and Chhota Shakeel - one of India's most-wanted men - was released.

Dutt is facing trial for being in the possession of weapons allegedly used in the series of bombings in Mumbai in 1993 that had killed over 300 people. Film financer Bharat Shah was arrested in 2001 for allegedly colluding with the underworld for the film "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke" that had Salman in the lead role. Shah has since been released in the absence of enough evidence.

The underworld dons latched on to Bollywood a couple of decades ago by lending huge amounts of money to cash-strapped filmmakers. As they gradually took control of the industry, demands for international rights to films started pouring in. Extortion calls to successful film stars and directors and death threats to those who don't fall in line are rather norms than exceptions in the industry. Industry sources say threat calls to film personalities and even television actors have increased in the recent months after a long lull.

Although the government granted industry status to Bollywood in 1998 to make it easy for the filmmakers to borrow funds from banks, there hasn't been a significant change in the financing of films.

"I am his third adopted son!" - John

John Abraham came, saw and conquered. Hot property on the film circuit and hotter amongst all the female fraternity…John is the man of the moment! Riding high on the success of Dhoom and Kaal, with each step John is preparing to take on the industry. Soon to be released Viruddh, is one of the films from the typhoon he is going to hit the industry with, in the coming months. John speaks about Viruddh, his series of other films with Big B and lots more, exclusively to IndiaFM.

Lets talk about the film...
It's a story about a middle class Maharashtrian family. Mr. Bachchan plays my father. Sharmila Tagore plays my mother. Sanju Sir has put in a special appearance. I have a small role, which is very special and beautiful. The storyline begins when I come back to India after further studies. Viruddh, as the name suggests is about the fight of a father against the systems of society, against what he believes is wrong. After Saaransh, I think Virudhh will be one such film that is emotionally powerful and emotionally gratifying, in terms of performances as well.

Do we see shades of Saransh in Viruddh?
It is not Saransh or a remake of it. But if you ask me this movie is very beautiful on the emotional graph and if the film captures the emotions the way Saransh did, then half the battle is won.

What do you think about the music of the film?
It's music of redemption. The music of this film is positive. I would not like to use the word 'devotional', but positive would be the right word. Many famous artists like Shankar Mahadevan, Abida Parveen, Jagjit Singh have sung for the soundtrack. It is melodious and at the same time it has lyrics, which are about family values. There is no song in the movie; whatever music is there is in the background. I like the song by Shankar Mahadevan, but you have to listen to the music to experience it.

How was the experience of working with stalwarts like AB and Sharmila Tagore?
Sharmilaji and Bachchan sir are the stalwarts in the industry; it has been years they are in the industry. Both are very professional, they always used to come on time and used to rehearse so if I can tear off even one page from their professional career, then I think I go a long way. If a new actor wants a longetivity in this industry then I think Bachchan sir is the school.

You are doing a lot of films with Amitabh Bachchan, besides Viruddh, how does it feel?
It feels great that the first film I that I had signed, Aetbaar was with Mr. Bachchan and today he indirectly supports me a lot, not that he tells me that I am supporting you. But just the fact that he is doing so many movies with me, shows his acceptance of me in this industry and I am really thankful to him. I think I'm in line after Abhishek and Akshay Kumar. I think I am his third adopted son!

Your co-star Anusha debuts in this movie, what do you have to say about her?
This is Anusha's first film and I would like to tell you that she is a complete natural. She has been cast perfectly for this role. She plays the foreign born Indian that she is in real life, she has that natural accent, so she fits the role perfectly.

How does it to feel to work with Mahesh Manjrekar?
Mahesh Manjrekar is a superlative director, he has made movies like Astitva and Vastaav, and I think there are no words to speak about how good he is. He has taken this film very seriously and has made a beautiful product. While I was dubbing for the movie, I saw the rushes, those rushes also make you cry. I am proud to be a part of this movie.
What is the underlying message of the film?
That family comes first. It's very important to understand what your parents have done for you. As life goes on, we forget how important our parents are. The more successful you get the more you indulge into it and money, friends. But it's important to remember that it's your parents who have brought you up and how much ever you give them back, it's less. So keep giving.

Dhoom's success got you a quick entry in the 'A' list. Are you now shying away from action?
Action is my forte, I will go back to it in a big way and I want to do action that is cult, which is followed. If Dhoom kindled a craze for bikes then I want to do action also similarly, where a strong image is created. My audiences are my biggest inspiration and I want to give them back something as cult as the Dhoom role.

Any memorable incident you would like to share with us?
The film is very emotional short film and when you sit through the film you will realise it. While hearing the narration I remember that I was smiling and at the same time tears rolled down my eyes. So if that can happen to me during narration, I am sure that it will touch people's heart too.