Notwithstanding her scraps and bohemian streak, Nepalese actor Manisha Koirala says she is "focused" and "seriously professional" as she forays into production.

Q. What's this about you getting into production?
A. Oh, I'm very serious about it. I have been wanting to get into production for a few years and I'm finally there. By next year, four-five productions should be on their way to becoming films.

Q. Will acting take a backseat?
A. Eventually. I've been acting for 11 years and need a more challenging job now. I will continue for a while, though, as varied roles still interest me.

Q. What about Ek Chhotisi Love Story in which a 14-year-old boy is obsessed with you, a much older woman?
A. I don't want to talk about it as there are some problems with director Shashilal Nair over certain scenes and that needs to be dealt with.

Q. Any regrets about not having won a national award despite some interesting roles?
A. I don't delve on the fact that I haven't won it as yet-that's secondary. What's important is to do good work and interesting roles. At the same time, I don't insult these awards either as being rigged or anything.

Q. What's your state of mind now?
A. Calm and focused ... I don't believe that one needs to sacrifice one thing for another. I can do it all because I have so much extra energy.

-Natasha Israni

Westward Ho!

First there was Lagaan at the Oscars, then came Devdas at Cannes and now Agni Varsha is screening at the Commonwealth Film Festival in Manchester. Clearly, Bollywood has arrived in the world of cinema. Agni Varsha, under the banner of iDream and directed by Arjun Sajnani, is a costume drama. It stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jackie Shroff, Nagarjuna, Prabhu Deva, Raveena Tandon, Milind Soman and loads of other names and is going to open the Commonwealth Film Festival beginning June 27. The film-an adaptation of Girish Karnad's play Yavkrit-has been selected out of 300 entries at the festival. Says Rohit Sharma, vice-president, marketing and distribution, "A new marketing spectrum has opened up. The international audience seems to have developed taste for the colours of song 'n' dance Bollywood flicks." Indeed.

BOX OFFICE
Split Success

Too much of a good thing is bad. Case in point: patriotism. The Legend of Bhagat Singh and 23rd March 1931-Saheed opened without fizz though The Legend... managed to acquire some after rave review. Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai from the Chopra clan just about salvaged Bollywood with a decent initial. Mixed week.

Bonding with the Best

It may have nothing to do with the monicker. And then again, perhaps it may. Why else would the Kapoors have such fascination for the Kapoors? Boney Kapoor aka Sridevi's husband, Jhanvi's father, Anil-Sanjay's brother et al, has just got sinewy Kareena Kapoor to sign on the dotted line for his next venture, Khushi. So where is the love angle? The "other" Kapoors have worked with all of "the" Kapoor khaandan-papa Randhir starred in Ponga Pundit that came from the stable of Surinder Kapoor (father of Boney), momma Babita played a major role in Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati and badi bahein Karisma acted in Shakti-The Power. By the way, Khushi marks the debut of southern dancing sensation Prabhu Deva as choreographer for a Hindi film. He has the task of getting Kareena and Fardeen Khan to dance to his steps. Easy, did we hear?

-compiled by Sheela Raval