How does a model get into films? By getting plumper. What fellow models snidely refer to as rolls of flab, Bollywood looks on as curvaceous sex appeal. Following in the footsteps of the now bounteous Neha Dupia is Yana Gupta. The Czech-born model, who looked so ample in parts this year that there were murmurs of a silicon job, replaces Bipasha Basu in an item number in E. Niwas' film Dum. Gupta promises it will be a sensual treat. "Knowing choreographer Ganesh Hegde, it will be very classily done." We're all ears. And eyes.

Catcher in the Rai

After the rumours, the confirmation. No, Aishwarya Rai hasn't made up with the temperamental Salman Khan. Instead, Rai chose her trip to the Missionaries of Charity (incidentally, the nuns didn't know who she was) to tell reporters she is indeed playing the lead in Gurinder Chadha's Pride and Prejudice. Any other future aspirations? Ummm ... she won't mind being "the first Bollywood heroine to act as the (James) Bond girl." Move over Halle Berry.

Play Acting

If there ever was an award for those who make a transition from the ridiculous to the sublime, then VJs-turned-actors would be serious contenders. The newest duo to make the leap to acting in a play is Ishita Arun and Kim Jagtiani in My Best Friend's Wedding-not a remake of the Julia Roberts starrer, but a comic caper. Arun plays a hypersensitive woman. As for Kim, "I am a saucy, sexy girl with lots of attitude." Now why does that sound like something a VJ would say?

Match Point

Here's our own Steffi Graf in the making. Sixteen-year-old Sania Mirza has pocketed three International Tennis Federation titles and the Asian junior championship. That makes her the first Indian girl to clinch the prestigious title. "I am glad to win the title that everyone expected me to win," says the teenager. A real winner, game, set and attitude.

-Compiled by Kanika Gahlaut