PICTURE SPEAK

Big B Brought To Book

It could well be titled "The Making of Deewar". Though Amitabh Bachchan (right), 62, has never admitted to differences with brother Ajitabh, 58, the uneasiness between the two will now be publicly explored. The Big B beans will also spill over into other silence zones, including the family's relations with the Gandhis. All this, in a book written by Ajitabh, to be out by year-end. Amid frenzied speculation about the content, Ajitabh has been quoted as saying, "It is not a malicious book." Sounds sweet. Who knows, Cadbury may even sponsor it.

Love Sick

Liz Hurley is allergic to Indian food and water, according to British tabloids. The news has been met with hysterical denials by Mumbai's chatterati who have hosted Hurley and her boyfriend Arun Nayar during their frequent visits. "I feel like the looniest of Californians," Hurley reportedly told The Daily Mail. "I get sick every time I go." The next time they invite her, society ladies can pass her a vomit bag along with the cocktails.

Spell of Success

The English dictionary will show that appoggiatura means melodic tune. For Anurag Kashyap, 13, spelling it meant so much more. The 8th grader from Poway, California, won the 2005 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The signature success of American-Indians was recognised in 1985 when The New York Times noted: "Descendants of Indian immigrants-less than 1 per cent of the population-have dominated this contest, snatching first place in five of the past seven years." Continue to read their lips.

Kick Start

Jackie Chan chanced upon Kerala's martial arts exponent G. Sathyanarayanan performing kalaripayattu in a CD sent to him by the state Tourism Department. Soon, Sathyanarayanan flew to Shanghai to shoot for Chan's film, The Myth. Now other Hollywood offers are coming in. "It is great that kalaripayattu is becoming famous," he says. Great way to "kick some ass", as Chan's other Indian friend Mallika Sherawat would say.

-Compiled by Kanika Gahlaut

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