Bharadwaj and Malhotra

Ram and Ramayan are back. Not Ramanand Sagar's rehashed 1987 television milestone, but B.R. Mahabharat Chopra's silicon graphics-driven Ramayan on Zee. There has been another role reversal too. Chopra resurrects Mahabharat's original Krishna—Nitish Bharadwaj of the beatific smile—as Ram. Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi's Tulsi (Smriti Malhotra) plays Sita. The Chandni Chowk-inspired costumes and plumage hold, filmier this time. Sagar's opus raked in unprecedented ratings making Arun Govil (Ram) and Dipika (Sita) screen idols in their time. But Chopra's Ramayan, says Bharadwaj, will "highlight a Ram who is more relevant in today's time".

Role No Bar

Chandni Bar just might fetch Tabu her second national award. But in Tinnu Verma's Maa Tujhe Salaam-Sunny Deol's next patriotic potboiler-she does a raunchy number. As an intelligence agent out to snare villain Arbaaz Khan, Tabu, according to Verma, is cast in "an unconventional role". The Ricky and James-directed song has Tabu shaking a leg and showing some skin-in a barely-there bustier and harem pants-as she lips the tantalising Hai ranjhana lines. From a hausfrau in Astitva to a bar girl in Chandni Bar, that's quite a range to flaunt.

Soap Popular

Seen her on TV? You couldn't have missed. At 23, Sweta Keswani has shot for over 60 serials (she's still counting). From endorsing cars to creams and playing the irrepressible bahu in TRP-happy soaps like Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, and lately a woman scorned in Desh Mein Nikla Hoga Chand, she has been around long enough to make an honest confession: "These soaps are not cerebral but they work." More "cerebral" would be offbeat cinema, which she's now considering when not bungee jumping or trekking. "I am jittery about films but I'll take the plunge." The bungee jumping practice should do her good.

Right Choice?

Coke has got Hrithik, Aamir and Ash. And Pepsi? Well, their idea of
"youth icons"are ...

FARDEEN KHAN:
Claims to fame: Son of Feroz Khan, cocaine controversy.
Track record: Not a single hit since 1998.

KARREINA KAPOOR:
Claims to fame: Karisma's sis, lots of hype.
Track record: A moderate hit in Mujhe Kuchch Kehna Hai, K3G in which critics noticed everyone but her, three
superflops-Refugee, Yaadein, Asoka.

ABHISHEK BACHCHAN:
Claim to fame: AB's baby.
Track record: Not a single hit since his debut with Karreina in 2000.

-Compiled by Methil Renuka