Jan 25, 1999

If Govinda were asked, he might say it happens only in Kerala. Tallmen -- a union of tall men -- has just been formed in Thrissur. "We face too many problems, though we are thankful to God for this height," says union president P. Zacharia Joseph, a 6 ft 3 in former Air Force officer. The group (all 6 ft-plus) plans to demand more head room in buses, relocation of side berths and reservation of seats on trains, among other things. A tall order.

The Third Man

This is the story of thatha (grandpa), appa and the little ace of their hearts. Ramanathan and Ramesh Krishnan have jointly penned a book on their family's affair with tennis over three generations. A Touch of Tennis (due for release this April), makes touching references to grandpa T.K. Ramanathan, a tennis enthusiast and "my first coach", says Ramesh. Like when he led the lad to his first swimming lesson, and ordered him to jump into the pool. For swimming, as well as tennis, it worked.

Yours Undiplomatically

I say chaps, do you think he meant it? If "exclusive extracts" of his "valedictory telegram" published in The Sunday Telegraph of London are to be believed, Britain's former high commissioner to India Sir David Gore-Booth doesn't think much of his last posting. Apart from calling India a "cacophonous cauldron" and Delhi society "a formidable force", he has slammed the Indian press for abusing its freedom "to make mincemeat of personalities" like himself. Parting shot or cannonfire?

More of Morea

He was the guy in the controversial Calida ad. You know the one with his teeth prising the panties off model Bipasha Basu? Now Dino Morea, 23, has sunk his fangs into a film career. He's making his debut with Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi opposite Rinke Khanna (Dimple Kapadia and Rajesh Khanna's little one). "Acting is a different ball game," he gushes, "but it's brilliant." And he?

Little Did She Know

Just past the voting age, and already going places. When Rajshri -- producers of Hum Aapke Hain Koun! and other films -- picked Preeti Jhangiani to feature in a music video series for their maiden album Yeh Hai Prem she had no idea where it would take her. Her modelling career is on a high now. And her first film Mazhavillu (in Malayalam) will be out this month. Next: two Telugu films, one opposite Nagarjuna. The problem with Hindi films, she says, is that "they take one and two years ... so they'll interfere with my college studies". Buck up Bollywood.

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