Makeover Mantra

It is the make-over season. After Perizaad Zorabian (Morning Raga) and Aishwarya Rai (Raincoat) went pancake-less chic, it is Sameera Reddy who gets to be the diva of deglam in National Award-winning director Buddhadeb Dasgupta's film Kaalpurush. So impressed is the Bengali director with Reddy that he has compared her to a legend. He says, "She has an earthy look, is talented and can fill the void left by Smita Patil." But then who would fill the void left by the ever-Reddy cleavage and leg show?

Stick Shift

For Sachin Tendulkar, this is a reverse-sweep with a difference. After promoting everything from mobile networks to soft drinks, he will bat for the country's national sport. He is to promote hockey as brand ambassador of ESPN-Star Sports. In an ad announcing the Premier Hockey League (PHL), to air early next year, Tendulkar plays a fan of the PHL team Maratha Warriors. ESPN-Star Sports believes Tendulkar could get a huge fan base for a sport struggling to regain its glory. Knowing him, he'll make the goal.

Changing Gear

While the other gals go into arty gear, Rituparna Sengupta is aspiring to the role of eye candy. After a series of Rituparno Ghosh and Aparna Sen movies, the National Award-winning actor has undergone a transformation, trading saris for minis for a lead role in Main Meri Patni Aur Woh. Directed by Chandan Arora, who helmed Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, the movie is about an odd but happy marriage of the 5 ft 2 inch Rajpal Yadav and the 5 ft 8 inch Sengupta. Then Yadav begins to believe there is more to life than a wife. Not an average formula film, but then this is not your average formula gal.

Klein Sweep

When Calvin Klein swings by-in his private plane, of course-it is a fashion moment. Delhi's fasherati got a crash course in brand building. Klein pored over embroideries. Says culture czar Rajeev Sethi who showed him around: "He said it would be a pity if everyone wore only blue jeans in this crafts-rich country." Strong words from the man who got Brooke Shields to say, "Nothing comes between me and my Calvins."

-Compiled by Kanika Gahlaut

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