For those who have not kept score, virtuoso violinist L. Shankar has dropped the initial in his name- call him Shankar now -and has a new attachment instead. Shankar, best known for a Grammy and New Age world music (he co-founded the 1975 group Shakti with John McLaughlin), has, these past six years in LA, acquired an accompanist and "musical partner" to play his patented double violin with him-20-something LA-born singer-songwriter-violinist Gingger. Together called Shankar & Gingger, the duo will do a five-city India tour next month, playing tracks from their new album One in a Million, which also features guest artiste Phil Collins. Sponsors Seagram are dubbing it the first time "the only two double violinists in the world" will be performing live in India. No strings attached.

Sensual Don

She has played a lesbian, now she's playing a don. In a film called Supari directed by Padam Kumar (who did Champion), Nandita Das plays "a societal vamp". "But it's a very sophisticated female don," corrects Das, "not the gun-toting kind." Das' urban don is a socialite with a big house, the riches, the works. "And with a new look," promises Kumar. "I have presented her differently but that does not mean she's wearing tight pants or traipsing around in cotton saris the way she usually does." Oops. "Uh...what I mean is there are strong undercurrents of sensuality in the role." Sure.

Back With a Boom

It's an indication that Zeenat Aman has not lost her stage presence-—or her much-deified sex appeal—yet. Come September, Aman will make her stage debut in Kolkata as-in the words of her beau Zaheer-the "long-time monogamous mistress of the play's lead" in Ramesh Talwar's "emotional comedy" Chupke Chupke. Rehearsals will begin as soon as Aman returns from Dubai, where she is currently shooting for Kaizad Gustad's Boom, in which she essays Amitabh Bachchan's "long-time friend". She was dining at the Regent Coffee Shop in Mumbai when Gustad trod up to her exclaiming how he was a huge fan of hers. "That night, he called to say he wanted her to do the part," says Zaheer. How could Aman have refused? Boom's producers are long-time friends Ayesha and Jackie Shroff.

Game For Food

Even cricketers can be foodies. Sachin Tendulkar is capitalising on the one other thing Indians are passionate about-food. And it's not just a sporting interest. The cricketer is set to open a chain of sports bars and speciality restaurants serving gourmet cuisine to be called Tendulkar's in India, UK and Australia. The joint venture with Mumbai restaurateur Sanjay Narang, better known as Sushmita Sen's beau (that Bollywood connection again), will have its flagship restaurant in south Mumbai. The interiors will be "dramatic", incorporating Tendulkar's memorabilia. ESPN is getting him to play host on its channel. Will Tendulkar do the same at his cafes?

—Compiled by Methil Renuka