Meghna Naidu had gone to the Universal recording company in Mumbai to drop off a friend's resume, but got screen-tested instead. "They saw that I loved dancing to the music," purrs the sultry 23-year-old, who's sizzling her way to item-number reckoning in the music video Kaliyon Ka Chaman that's on air now. The "sexy" song, which includes a spot of belly dancing, has meant a lot more offers to perform at nightclubs in Mumbai. Her most recent was an opening act at Athena. The reviews have also come at a time when Prudhvi Narayana, a Telugu film in which she plays the lead, has just released in hometown Hyderabad. That's not all. The part-time tennis coach who shuttles between Mumbai and New York is also getting feelers from "really big Bollywood directors". They are calling her "hot".

New Tunes

A question: just how did AirTel manage to get A.R. Rehman? While the reason could be a fancy paycheck-nobody is saying how much-one thing is for sure: the elusive music composer, best known for working nights at his Chennai studio, is becoming more public-savvy. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Bombay Dreams was a start. And now, the TV ad spot-Rehman's very first—for the mobile major. He is not just starring in it. He has also scored the music and composed five ring tones that can be downloaded by users. At a press meet at The Oberoi in Mumbai last week-one of those rare public appearances—Rehman shook hands, grinned, and posed for cameras. But no, there won't be any more endorsements.

"Fun, fearless, female" Malaika Arora is taking a break-the vivacious veejay is on maternity leave. So who's hosting Style Check on MTV that has come to be so synonymous with Malaika? It is new find Anusha Dandekar, born in Africa, raised in London, settled in Australia, working in Mumbai. It might have been a tough act doing a Malaika, but Dandekar, who has been on the show for over two weeks now, insists she's doing it her way and isn't stepping into Malaika's shoes—or those spear-like stilettos. "My style is laidback," she urges. "There have been no comparisons. I might even continue to anchor the show." She's got the verve.

Now or Never

It maybe a tad too late in the day, but so what, asks Madhura Jasraj, daughter of renowned filmmaker V. Shantaram and wife of music maestro Pandit Jasraj. "I've been toying with the idea of making films," she says. "And now, I plan to make many more." To start with, there is Humsaaya, a psychological thriller starring Shilpa Shetty, Jimmy Shergill and Dino Morea. But the lady is no fresher—she earlier made documentaries on her father and husband. For now though, there are other pressing issues: brother Kiran Shantaram has forbidden her from using the "V. Shantaram Films" moniker. A family feud in the offing?

-Compiled by Methil Renuka