Q 1.The sportstar campaigning for the BJP in Uttaranchal is...

a. Milkha Singh.
b. Ajay Jadeja, whose sister is married into Garhwal's royal family.
c. Jaspal Rana.

Q 2. Harkat-ul-Mujahideen terrorist Mohammed Sufi Mir's wedding is being organised by ...

a. The ISI.
b. Jaish-e-Mohammed.
c. The Indian Army.

Q 3. "A Hindu proverb states that when an elephant is down, even a frog will kick him." Who had this emblazoned on his T-shirt recently?

a. Shaquille O'Neal.
b. Shatrughan Sinha.
c. Mike Tyson.

Answers: 1(c), 2(c), 3(a)

FILM PREVIEW
Bombay Boy Plays with New B.A.L.S.

WHAT'S THE WORD: Newcomer Malde is the bombshell

In his next film, Manu Kumaran, former Mumbai advertising man, will ensure his actors say "balls" many times over. The film, suspiciously called B.A.L.S., starring a clutch of young nobodys, will release in March 2002. And just so the censors don't go snip, snip because of the title, Kumaran has got it suitably abbreviated to "Bachelor of Arts Low Society". For Kumaran, who produced the box-office dud Bombay Boys in 1998, it is "a whole new ball game" as it is "an honest film" that will have his entire creative attention, "unlike Bombay Boys which was an embarrassment".

The college campus film has male lead Vishal Malhotra saying The Word to each of his love interests. Shana Malde is the bombshell. Kumaran says the film will have "in-your-face lyrics" in the title song. Shot on a Rs 1.5-crore budget, B.A.L.S. also includes a guest appearance by Om Puri. You know what you can't say to that.

-Methil Renuka

VOICEOVER
"I refuse to be a conformist"

Alisha Chinai on her latest album, Alisha.

ALISHA CHINAI

Q. How is this different from your other albums?

A. It is a reinvention of Alisha. I am trying to compete with my earlier album, Made in India. The new album has songs based on Sufi music, desert music, Bhangra and a techno track. My music is for the age group between 5 and 50.

Q. How was the experience of being directed by Sandeep Chowta?

A. I have mostly sung on higher octaves earlier. Sandeep made me sing on the lower octave which has added depth to the songs and is more pleasing.

Q. Do you think Indi-pop has reached saturation point?

A. I am a survivor in the industry. I am breathing life into it. You need more credible singers to keep the industry alive.

Q. What is your mantra for survival?

A. I live my life on my own terms and convictions and I believe in myself. I refuse to be a conformist. The defiance in my attitude keeps me going. -S. Sahaya Ranjit

SOTTO VOCE

The Swadeshi Jagran Manch is about to launch a membership drive, its first ...

Ronen Sen is moving to London as high commissioner and Gopal Gandhi is staying on in Colombo. Trust the mea is sure this time ...

The Samajwadi Party wants the US Government to pay Rs 10 lakh to families of policemen killed in the terrorist attack in Kolkata ...

The Bengal BJP as well as Vishvabharati claim to have received terrorist threats. Well

... Alvin Toffler's been lecturing in India again ...

The Sahara Group has commissioned Shyam Benegal to make a film on Subhas Chandra Bose ...

The Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council had a gun battle with the police in Shillong. They're Khasi militants.