BETWEEN YOU AND ME!

Back to the commercial mainstream after a long while, critically acclaimed film director Aruna Raje says the time is ripe for a film like `Tum'.

YOURS TRULY: Aruna Raje, the woman behind "Tum" shares a few candid moments in New Delhi. Photo: V. Sudershan.

`S-E-X.' Aruna Raje spells out the word that has lately taken the film industry by storm. "For the last few hundred years our society considered sex as sinful, pointlessly protecting man from nature. And that too without success; newspapers are cluttered with rape stories," declares Aruna, who has returned to wield the megaphone after a long sabbatical. Her latest film, `Tum' is touted as the story of a dangerous obsession.

And controversy, which seems to be this director's middle name, is haunting her yet again. "When I show an adult couple, some amount of physicality is imperative. The thing is we are not comfortable with our bodies. And you can't be selective with the maturity of viewers. They are mature enough to elect a Government but not to decide what to watch!" she exclaims.

"I was a tomboy and had completed reading Shakespeare back to back by the age of 13," she recounts. "It was during flights from Bangalore to Mumbai, where I was studying medicine that I came across producers offering me roles."

Born to do things differently, she was ready, but her parents discouraged her from entering a field where they felt girls were exploited. "As I was adamant, my friends suggested if I take training in acting then I won't be exploited. My parents, interestingly, agreed to the idea, not realising education doesn't make any difference. Anyway, I joined the Pune Film Institute, and as I was well informed and the Government had just started the policy to promote women in technical fields, the officials urged me to do a double diploma in direction and editing. With an inclination towards mind games and crosswords from childhood, I picked up editing very fast."

She married Vikas, and collaborated with him on some advertisement films and the urbane thriller `Shaque', followed by `Gehrayee' on superstitions. "Both were mature subjects. Still, a lot was written about the bedroom scenes filmed on Shabana and Vinod Khanna and later Padmini Kolhapure's nude scene in `Gehrayee'."

But soon divorce struck, and then she lost her daughter. "I didn't lose focus, I worked hard for my son, provided him the best of education in Switzerland." She made the critically acclaimed `Rehayee' during this period. "I didn't have money so I persuaded NFDC to support it. Then the media questioned if I was asking for sleeping rights for women in rural areas whose husbands have gone out to cities for jobs. Who am I to give them these rights? There are 20,000 divorce cases pending in Indian courts. When Plus offered me `Bhairavi', I was confused on how to tackle the subject, as I didn't know how a blind woman feels. I decided to remain blindfolded for three days. Soon, I started hearing some extra sounds. Like while filling the glass with water, the sound changes from when it is half filled to the point when it is full."

Life twirled again when her son struck out on his own. "For once I lost focus. I contemplated going to the Himalayas with no purpose left as such. Then I chanced to join Landmark Forum. It is based on ontology, the science of being. There I was able to shun the past and start afresh, and after making a couple of award-winning documentaries, `Tum' happened."

She feels that it is the right time for a film like `Tum'. "Friends have always said your films are ahead of their time. I think `Tum' is okay." Aruna denies that the Censor Board has objected to the length of steamy scenes. "The film was passed with two cuts and those are the flashback scenes where Karan Nath remembers the night he spent with Manisha." She refutes that she has played to the commercial tune of Venus, the producer of `Tum' or that her next project `Khajuraho' - renamed `Sex, Love and God' - is a similar step. "Tum' is indeed a commercial venture, but it has my stamp, and in `Khajuraho', I want to show sex as a way to reach God. I haven't found the producer yet. But can't I make a commercial film? To me, Manmohan Desai and Govinda type films are as valid as any other good film. I am planning a comedy again in my own way."

At last a valid smile surfaces on this riveting visage.

ANUJ KUMAR

Where will VIRGIN VOTES go?

They have been thrilled only by college elections so far. Facing the real thing gives them gooseflesh. M. KRISHNAN talks to first time voters.

GOVINDA'S POLITICAL ambitions or Dharmendra - Hema Malini's plunge into the BJP may not exactly excite the `virgin voters', but they are all charged up about casting their votes for the first time. Hooked up in a new, glitzy world of fashion and computers, Generation X may not be very politically inclined, as many have no plans to make their votes rebellious. The fun and excitement of being in a polling booth, casting the first vote of their lives- its just another experience that they want to cherish. But many of them have not even made up their minds about who will get their votes. It is only the act of voting which thrills them. The responsibility that the vote bestows on them is often not realised.

Fresh voters are already experiencing the hassles of being part of the great election in the Indian sub-continent. These are days when these fresh voters are running around hard to get their voter's id card. "Gosh, was that my picture?" Bhavana , a first year BDS student can't believe her ghost-like face on the card. Karthik is so confused because it's not his address that's printed on the card. Rahul has made himself a famous footballer, his name having beed spelt `Raul' on the card. Brahmish is at a loss because he has taken his dad's name on the card. As for his dad's name, Brahmish has assumed his grand father's post. Oops, the `blunders' continue.

These college freshers are all first time voters in Kerala. From the `jail-walls' of plus two schools, freedom has just come to them at large. "Elections are fun. We had our college elections just days back. The wild ways of campaigning can actually trigger laugh-riots," remarks Nizliyah, a first year Law student. Why not when there are banners and hoardings going around the campus like, `Ningalillathe enikkenthaaghosham?', `Satisfaction to the last vote' and so on.

Back to `big' elections. These new voters don't have many priorities. "It's only when the rest of the family is so inclined to a particular party that the new voter is influenced. Otherwise they are like free birds," says Reneesh, Vice-Chairman of the M. G. University Student's Union, who feels that first-time voters don't much care for the end result.

However, campus politics definitely take its effect on first time voters. A voter who strictly `panel-votes' for an SFI panel or a KSU panel shows his clear inclination for the respective parties. "They should simply be following that trend when it comes to Lok Sabha elections too," feels Reneesh.

It's glamour next, that attracts first-time voters and youth. They need icons. Icons in the genre of the late leaders Rajiv Gandhi or Madhav Rao Scindia. Such a system is almost absent in Kerala politics. "The only name I can think of is perhaps that of K. B. Ganesh Kumar's. Not because he has a lot of glamour but for his good work with the KSRTC," says Anuroop Joseph, a first time voter and a first year MBBS student. "Rahul and Priyanka are striking personalities. But since Congress in the State is submerged in a lot of group plays, the party may take the back seat in the forthcoming elections here," he says.

"My first vote shall be for that candidate who spells `democracy', better". Praveen elaborates: Recently he `enlightened' a politician while on a train and made him believe that it ought to be spelled `d-e-m-o-c-r-a-z-y'. "By the end of the journey, he must have found out the real spelling, `coz he gave me a wild snarl," He said.

Eighteen they say is the `latest best' among teen-ages. With already a license to drive and an electoral card in the wallet, the indelible ink marked hand and voting machines can actually turn our boys and girls into men and women! Even the thought of the D-day makes them ecstatic.

"To put in his first vote, my brother, who was ill, was taken to the polling booth in an ambulance. I hope I don't follow in his footsteps," remarks Parvathy, a first year Commerce student at Thevara College. But like many other youths of her age, Parvathy too is ignorant of candidates contesting in her own constituency.

For many last minute decisions are taken. "I will certainly make my choice before the polling day is here," says Meenakshi, a first time voter and MBBS student.

In a month's time from now, the first time voters in the city will make it to the polling boothsThe ad on Channel V calling for the new voter and the controversy bitten `India Shining' are all attracting these teenagers.

Slapstick at its worst

I'm not a filmmaker but if I was I'm sure I could do a better job than director Vimal Kumar on 'Suno Sasurji.'
There is nothing much good to say about this film. Shoddy script and raunchy dance tracks, leaves you nowhere.

'Suno Sasurji' looks like a poor David Dhawan version of slapstick comedy at its worst kind.

The story revolves around two conmen Kader Khan and his brother-in-law Asrani who exploit and dupe people by taking their money and promising to put it into a high interest rate account.

However, their scheme is unravelled by Aftab Shivdasani who turns up demanding cash his grandfather lent to Kader.

Kader Khan throws him out of the house.

Vowing to get get revenge, Aftab woos Kader Khan's daughter played by Amisha Patel.

Kader is obviously opposed to the match and attempts to break them up by sabotaging their dates. His antics are supposed to be funny but I wasn't laughing along with everyone else in the audience.

Suno Sasurji is just another predictable film that fumbles to create any impact.

Kumar has goofed up with the subject. He has shamelessly copied the David Dhawan style and failed.
This film's story line has been done many times before, usually with better effect.

Shivdasani's style and dress apes that of Govinda, but with a face that moves from stern to frown, he is no king of comedy.

Patel is wasted there to only to provide a skin show during her raunchy routines.
Definitely one to skip.

SB

4-, 2004 - 01: 0
Nominations end for first phase of Lok Sabha polls

New Delhi:Union Ministers Nitish Kumar, Ram Naik, Bhavanaben Chikhaliya and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda were among a large number of candidates who filed their nomination today as the process ended for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections to 141 seats on April 20 and began for the third phase scheduled for April 26.

Kumar, Railway Minister and senior Janata Dal (U) leader, filed his papers from two constituencies Barh and Nalanda in Bihar, ending speculation about his joining the fray in more than one constituency. Kumar filed his nomination for Nalanda, considered a safer seat than Barh, after his party chief George Fernandes shifted from there to Muzaffarpur.

Petroleum Minister Ram Naik jumped into the fray from Mumbai North, which he has represented five times, to take on Bollywood star Govinda who is making his electoral debut.

In Karnataka, former prime minister Deve Gowda filed his nomination papers for Kanakapura constituency in Bangalore rural, setting at rest speculation that he may switch to his home constituency Hassan. He is pitted against BJP's senior state leader Ramachandra Gowda and TV journalist Tejaswini Ramesh, contesting for Congress.

Union Minister of State for Tourism Bhavanaben Chikhaliya filed her papers from Junagadh, which she has represented four times since 1991, while Tushar Chaudhary, son of former PCC chief and Leader of the Opposition in state assembly, Amarsinh Chaudhary filed his nomination for Mandvi reserved seat.

Chief Minister S M Krishna filed his nomination for Chamarajpet assembly constituency, which along with 119 other seats in Karnataka goes to polls on April 20.

Showdown formally begins in UP, Maharashtra
Poll notification for third phase issued
Tribune News Service

Assam: Karimganj, Silchar, autonomous district, Nowgong, Kaliabor, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur.

Bollywood and politics: Marriage or an affair?

Her father was an aeronautical engineer, her siblings are doctors, and she studied political science at a northern Indian university.

But with her comely looks Poonam Dhillon opted for a career in Bollywood, the world's most prolific film industry which cranks out some 1,000 movies a year from the western Indian city of Bombay, also known as Mumbai.

Nine years and some 90 films later, Dhillon quit films, settled into domesticity, and plunged into politics soon after. She joined the India's main opposition Congress party and stayed, as she says, "pretty inactive" for two years.

This year, she joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Now she vows to devote more time and attention to politics and says her political science background will come of use.

Unlikely collection

Dhillon is one of the nearly two dozen film stars who have decided to join political parties ahead of the general elections in India.

They are an unlikely collection of retired stars, out-of-work actors, and some former beauty queens-turned struggling performers.

Subbirami Reddy, a Congress party parliamentarian and film producer who claims to have signed up 14 film stars to his party, says actors are more politically conscious today.

"Previously, film stars did not read anything or show interest in politics. Today, they are educated and understand politics," says Mr Reddy.

It makes sense then, he says candidly, for parties to approach them because "every star has a following and can bring in the crowds".

That is possibly the reason that most of the stars are going to campaign in the elections, but not go as far as standing as candidates.

One exception is Govinda, a popular comic hero, who is contesting against a powerful federal minister in a Bombay constituency.

These days, the star is hopping on and off the crowded Bombay trains to mingle with passengers and whip up support.  There he recounts his own rags to riches story when he would travel to work in a train "whistling Hindi songs".

When the journey ends, his understanding of the problems of the people is disarmingly simple.  "Nothing has changed in the train. People are same, problems are same," says Govinda.

Politics as spectacle

In an election bereft of substantive issues rousing the voters or polarising the parties, Bollywood stars are expected to draw crowds and generate some excitement.

"This is all about reducing politics to a spectacle. This election is like a plot-less, message-less political movie which needs extras (politicians) to liven up the proceedings," sociologist Shiv Vishwanathan told BBC News Online.

Many of the stars who have joined parties seem to be ignorant about important events in Indian history, or even their party's political allies.

Veteran actor Suresh Oberoi, who has joined the BJP, was asked by a reporter why December 6, 1992 (the day a mosque in the northern town of Ayodhya was torn down on that day by Hindu nationalists triggering off the worst bout of communal rioting in India since Independence) was an important date.

"Why is it important?" Mr Oberoi wondered.

'Couldn't handle it

Bollywood's tryst with politics has been chequered so far.

STARS CAMPAIGNING

Hero's bid to be politician No. 1

Govinda has begun his political `yatra'by travelling second class on the local train to Virar. This popular `Virar ka Chokra' turned film star has the common man touch. But whether he can translate this into votes to defeat formidable rival and BJP minister Ram Naik is the question, says V. GANGADHAR.

V for victory is what this star is hoping for.

THE POPULAR Janmashtami song "Govinda aaala re... " was sung by thousands of commuters on the morning of March 27, as a chubby, middle-aged man stood in the queue at Borivili station and bought a second class ticket for the 7.10 a.m. Virar local. His reception at the station and inside the compartment was ecstatic and the excitement continued at Virar where huge crowds had assembled.

The special commuter, clad in sober white, was 41-year old Govind Arun Ahuja, known to millions of film fans as Govinda, often called `Virar ka Chokra' or `Chi Chi'. Govinda, the hero of 125 films, was not shooting for a new film. Chosen by the Congress party to oppose BJP stalwart, Petroleum Minister and five-time winner, Ram Naik, in the forthcoming Lok Sabna elections, Govinda had just started his political `yatra'.

Once at Virar, he visited the famous Sai Baba temple and offered prayers. Govinda, whose early days were spent at Virar's Sheikh Chawl at Phulpada Road (now known as Govinda Gully) was in familiar territory.

Shopkeepers, workers and every one on the street waved to him and wished him luck. Despite money and fame and the shift to Juhu, Govinda had not forgotten his roots. Every February 12, he returned to Virar to stage a `Film Star' night and do puja at the Sai Baba temple.

The train journey to Virar was in the midst of old friends like 73-year old Sadhu Govind Ram who had visited the Govinda home some 15 years ago! Unlike another actor, Dharmendra, who was supposed to capture the `Jat' votes for the BJP, Govinda has no fixed vote bank. His assets are his personal popularity and the common man touch.

In simple words, he told one why he joined politics. ``My mother, the `thumri' singer, Nirmala Devi had always backed the Congress. Sonia Gandhi invited me to join the party and I was always present at her meetings in the city.''

Nirmala Devi was a highly respected figure in Virar and the locals appreciated how she struggled to bring up the two sons, Kirti (a film producer) and Govinda.

Govinda's Bollywood co-stars, producers and directors continue to love him despite his habit of reporting late at the sets. His dancing invited comparisons with John Travolta and Elvis Presley and his films offered entertainment to the lower middle classes.

For a film star, he has a `clean' personal record and Sonia Gandhi was keen to have him in the party. And the Virar boy filed his nomination papers in the presence of State Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.

The Mumbai (North) election battle will not be easy for Govinda. Ram Naik is a formidable opponent who is trying for a double hat-trick in the Lok Sabha polls. Easily accessible, he has done sterling work for the suburban train commuters and runs an efficient party organisation. The only black mark on his record is the recent `petrol pump' scandal in the Ministry of Petroleum.

Unfazed at the choice of Govinda as his opponent, Naik was all confidence. ``In politics, I am the Hero No 1,'' he quipped.

Both candidates affirmed they would not attack each other on a personal level and the campaign promised to be a clean one. ``I will not attack the `Feel Good' strategy of the BJP,'' said Govinda. ``I will tell the people they will feel better under the Congress rule.''

Ram Naik, however, had concentrated more on Borivili and not so much on the problems of Vasai-Virar.

``Chi-Chi has a better understanding of our local problems,'' pointed out Ganesh Ram, a local auto driver. ``He is humble. We expect more attention from him. Naik is a big leader, he has no time for our local problems,'' complained a housewife.

The local problems are, of course, flourishing illegal construction and the corruption involved, chaotic traffic in the absence of an over-bridge between Virar (W) and East, and perennial water shortage.

Explained Govinda, ``Years of living in Virar made me familiar with these problems. I will be travelling by train, bus and auto to garner public support through door-to-door campaigning.''

Govinda also expected support from old school chum and friend, Hitendra Thakur, the local `don' and former TADA detenu who is also the local MLA and wields considerable influence.

Govinda was hesitant to abandon his screen image. ``After all, people have identified me with a particular type of image and why should I give it up?'' he argued. ``But I am a common man, and people can identity themselves with me.''

The Mumbai (North) Lok Sabha election did have some filmy touches — a film star with a `fond mother' image hovering around him, a `don' in action and a political heavyweight as an opponent. But the real life political drama will be more interesting than any screen version. Can `Chi Chi' make it, enabling the `Virar ka Chokra' to set his sights on Delhi?

V. GANGADHAR

LUCKNOW, APRIL 6. Actress Malika Sherawat today stated that she would not hesitate to contest against the Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee from Lucknow, if given a ticket for the Lok Sabha elections.

``I am ready to take on Mr Vajpayee in Lucknow and will certainly win the election,'' claimed Malika, the latest sensation to rock the Bollywood bandwagon, told mediapersons here.

Claiming that several political parties had approached her to campaign for them in the coming Lok Sabha elections, she said, ``I have rejected all such offers as I am concerned about giving more attention to my career.''

Malika also said she would not hesitate to contest against the Prime Minister and was confident of ``all-out support'' from the youth.

The Rohtak girl, who shot to limelight with her daring scenes in her debut film `Khwahish', said she saw no controversy in Bollywood artistes joining the politics. ``Politics is also a part of our life. How can anyone deprive us of our democratic rights,'' she asked.

Renowned film director Mahesh Bhatt, who was here along with Malika in connection with the promotion of their new release `Murder', also supported the Bollywood artistes joining active politics.

Showering praise on famous Bollywood actor Govinda, contesting the Lok Sabha election on the Congress ticket from Mumbai North, Mr Bhatt said, ``I am sure he can serve the people better than any one else because he is attached to the ground realities of the society.''

-- UNI

NEW DELHI, APRIL 7. The affidavits of assets filed by the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, and the BSP chief, Mayawati, have an interesting tale to tell.

According to Ms. Mayawati's affidavit submitted on Monday, she has Rs. 9.78 crores deposited in various banks and keeps Rs. 1.5 lakhs in hand. She also owns jewellery worth Rs. 30.94 lakhs. The diamond-studded jewellery gifted to her during one of her birthdays by party activists had earlier been under investigation.

She owns four houses estimated at Rs. 1.25 crores in Delhi's Inderpuri area.

The Congress president neither owns a car nor a house in India. She does have an ancestral home estimated at Rs. 12.45 lakhs in Italy.

According to Ms. Gandhi's affidavit submitted yesterday, she has deposits amounting to Rs. 26.2 lakhs in UCO Bank and Rs. 25,000 in hand. Besides this, she also has RBI bonds worth Rs. 10.53 lakhs and other policies worth Rs. 13.29 lakhs. She has invested Rs. 1.29 lakhs in the national savings certificate. Her gold and silver jewellery is valued at Rs. 14.71 lakhs and she owns two pieces of land in Delhi and Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh) worth Rs. 2.19 lakhs.Ms. Gandhi has given Rs. 5 lakhs to her daughter and party's star campaigner, Priyanka Vadra, as loan, the affidavit said.

Rahul's assets

Rahul Gandhi, who is contesting from the Amethi Lok Sabha seat, has about Rs. 11 lakhs in Indian banks, nearly £30,000 and $19,000 in banks abroad, besides investments of over Rs. 7 lakhs. According to an affidavit submitted by Mr. Rahul, he also owns a farm house at Mehrauli in Delhi worth Rs. 9.8 lakhs.

He has Rs. 10.11 lakhs in UCO bank and Rs. 99,000 in Citibank in New Delhi, according to the affidavit. He has £27,700 at Westminster Bank in England besides three other foreign accounts having $18,600, $600 and £2,700, the affidavit says. Mr. Rahul has invested about Rs. 3.9 lakhs in shares besides having jewellery estimated at Rs. 1.25 lakhs and LIC and other saving certificates worth Rs. 3.80 lakhs.

Surpassing even Govinda in terms of personal wealth, two-time MP, Sunil Dutt, who is contesting against the Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha member, Sanjay Nirupam, from north-west Mumbai, is the richest of all contesting Lok Sabha candidates from Mumbai, with assets estimated at over Rs. 22 crores.

The Maharashtra Minister, Eknath Gaekwad, who is pitted against the Lok Sabha Speaker, Manohar Joshi, in the north-central Mumbai Lok Sabha seat, continues to remain `poor' among the entire lot with assets estimated at Rs. 19 lakhs.

Mr. Dutt also possesses immovable property to the tune of Rs. 18.82 crores, Rs. 4 lakhs as cash, besides gold jewellery worth Rs. 18.45 lakhs and diamonds worth Rs. 5.81 lakhs.

Govinda owns property worth Rs. 13.5 crores that includes two bungalows at Juhu (Rs. 1.43 crores) and Madh Island (Rs. 1 crore) and jewellery worth Rs. 1.85 crores.

The Nationalist Congress Party president, Sharad Pawar, possesses a flat worth Rs. 91 lakhs, and has deposits in banks and financial institutions to the tune of Rs. 2.8 lakhs.

An affidavit submitted by Mr. Pawar, while filing nomination papers for the Baramati Lok Sabha constituency on April 2, declared his total assets at Rs 3.6 crores.

— UNI, PTI