The Game is Afoot!

Posted in Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgan, Bipasha Basu, Gossip, Juhi Chawla, Kajol, Katrina Kaif, Mithun Chakraborty, Shahrukh Khan, Soha Ali Khan on Sun, Apr 20 '08.

The Bolly bon mot of the hour is race. The game is afoot, and our filmi folks are in it to win it.

Leading the pack is, of course, Race, playing to full houses all over the world. The film follows the exploits of two inescapably different brothers…but, let’s be honest, it’s all about heat - the kohl and steam kind. With lissome lass Katrina Kaif and bewitching Bongshell Bipasha Basu shaking a leg, there couldn’t be a film more worthy of playing Bollywood ambassador to Pakistan. That’s right, Race was chosen to open in India and Pakistan simultaneously, an unusual feat for a Bollyfilm. Here’s to brotherly love!

Alas, the Bolly bonhomie doesn’t translate over to the industry race for top billing. The Khans are at it again, with Aamir claiming Shah Rukh actually prefers playing second fiddle to his number one. Caught in the middle, as always, is Juhi Chawla. Do tell, Juhi, do tell.

If he can’t outrun SRK to become King Khan of Bollywood, Aamir can at least be King Khan of changing hairstyles. First the spiked look in Dil Chahta Hai , then those lustrous moustaches in Mangal Pandey, followed by the Taare Zameen Par faux-hawk…and now, for the Ghajini remake, a slice. Oh Aamir, what Krazzy coiff will you think of next?

Realizing the race he’s more likely to win is a relay, Aamir is all set to carry the Olympic Torch partway to China this month. We would be surprised that Mr. Righteous has nothing to say about Chinese democracy or Tibetan sovereignty, but it’s cola wars over real ones as Coke is footing the bill. Who says you can’t beat the real thing?

Certainly not Soha Ali Khan, who is in a mad dash to clear her name from faked permits in a firearms scandal. It seems daddy Pataudi took out a gun license in her name when she was underage, then used the weapon to hunt endangered black bucks, landing his little girl in quite a predicament.

The rest of Bollywood took a break from the rat race for Holi. Best in show were Kajol and hubby Ajay Devgan, who took advantage of the holiday to get down and dirty. Most of our other stars spent the holiday indoors, preferring to stay clean, dry, and away from the masses. All we want to know is, what about bhaang?

Finally, April marks the launch of IPL Cricket. The Twenty20 marathon has begun, and ICL, trying to stay in the race, has convinced Mithun Chakraborty to take over the Kolkata Tigers. Of course, Shah Rukh has devised the perfect plan to foil the original Disco Dancer - he’s partnered with Disco King Bappi Lahiri to create more team songs for his Kolkata Knight Riders. We think Bollywood’s had enough dard-e-disco, but this is one dance-off we’ll be watching closely. One thing’s for sure - with so many stars involved, it’ll be a photo finish. It’s a three-legged disco dash. Aaaaand…they’re off!