Anita Raj, Reena Roy, Asha Sachdev. Remember them? Names from the 1980s Hindi film era that don't figure on Bollywood scripts anymore. But where then? The three former actresses play inseparable pals in a new soap Eena Meena Deeka, a comedy directed by Karan Razdan. Together, they deal with deceptions and men, but more than anything, says Sachdev, who returns to the tube after over a decade (recall Buniyaad?): "It was great fun." For the record, the three play contradictory, crazy characters who take shots at changing male-female equations. Is this what retirement does to Bollywood's heroines?

Signature Series

They've done this just once before for Michael Schumacher. In India who else but Sachin Tendulkar in whose name to launch a signature car? "Sachin represents Fiat's new philosophy which is 'to the max', plus he is young, strong and dependable, all attributes of the brand personality we want to project," said Vijay Chandorikar, director, commercial, Fiat India, soon after the launch of the S10 at the Auto Expo in Delhi last week. The body of the car actually bears the batting hurricane's signature, so can't grumble at the likely cost of a little over Rs 5 lakh when it hits the market next month. One more thing-only a limited edition (500 cars) will be produced. Guess they don't make 'em like this every day.

Legal Stand

What does a screen vamp do when she's phasing out? Retire? Try TV? Nope. She courts controversy. Take glam moll Vichitra, who earned the nickname "Madippu (broad-hipped) Amsa" after her 1990s Tamil film Thalai Vaasal. The voluptuous actress has lately been throwing her girth around to push a case she had filed against stunt director A. Vijay for alleged physical abuse during the filming of the Telugu film Bhalevadivayya Basu last year. Recently, she even knocked on the doors of the All India Democratic Women's Association. Why? "Because I don't want others to meet with the same fate." The vamp act is for the screen only.

She's Getting Vocal

Three months ago, Priyanka Chopra-no Mother Teresa, but Miss World 2000- would have sung for global peace. Reign over-Chopra passed the crown to a non-Indian in November-she's now putting her vocal chords to more headline-grabbing use. She's crooning a number for G. Venkatesh's Tamil film Thamizhan. This, because "the director and my co-star Vijay coaxed me to sing after hearing me hum on the sets". In Mumbai, Chopra has drawn much ink already, signing seven films, ensuring she will be around long (the box-office will decide that) after her one-year run as Miss World. Currently shooting for five films at a time, she's also doing riyaaz alongside. Co-stars can hear Miss Chopra humming a lot more now.

-Compiled by Methil Renuka