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'Esha is like my own daughter'

Now that the 'Will Esha, won't Esha' question has been clearly resolved -- Hema Malini and Dharmendra's daughter will be launched by Boney Kapoor in the Hindi remake of a Telugu hit -- it's time to give credit to the person to actually brought about the coup.

Insiders say it was Sridevi -- she admires Hema and considers her her idol -- who actually came up with the idea of launching Esha. She also went about setting up the meeting between Hema and Boney.

Sridevi even went across to Hema's house and convinced the erstwhile Dream Girl, "Esha is like my own daughter, like my Jahnvi to me. I will take personal interest. I will groom her and also be present on the sets and supervise the girl's performance." This, probably, is what did the trick. Hema relented.

One also has to consider another factor. Hema, who was shown the original film, is said to have been floored by it and by the character her daughter was being asked to portray. The role, which requires the portrayal of a sensitive girl, is supposed to be a dream debut for any newcomer. Incidentally, it was Sridevi's cousin, Maheshwari, who was the heroine in both the Telugu and Tamil versions.

Not that it made Papa Dharmendra very happy. It was a well-known fact that he would never have allowed his daughters to enter the profession. But then, Hema has always had a mind of her own. 'What is good enough for me is also good enough for my children' was and continues to remain her dictum. If she could learn dance and be proficient in the art, so could her daughters, whether Dharmendra liked it or not.

Why, Hema Malini went one step further when she appeared with her daughters on the talkshow, Rendezvous With Simi Garewal. It was then that Esha publicly admitted she wanted to become an actress, before adding, "Papa will not allow it, but I will somehow manage to convince him." And Hema, with her characteristic candour, added she had no problems and that "I will have to make their father understand."

Which, it seems, she finally has. This, despite the fact that the Deols have never really been fond of the Kapoors! Boney has now officially announced his decision, after getting Esha to sign on the dotted line.

Never say die!

Dharmendra, meanwhile, squashed all rumours about his health and the reported heart attack he had suffered, by gracing the celebration of Sholay's 25^th year. Though he looked tired -- for once, the signs of age were evident on his face -- he chuckled when questioned about his reported illness. "Kya mein bimaar lagta hoon (Do I look ill)?"

Rumours about Dharmendra's illness started making the rounds almost a fortnight before the release of Dillagi. Dharmendra was said to have gone into depression and shock after seeing the final copy of the film. It was even said that he had suffered a heart attack and had to be hospitalised. But his appearance at Dillagi's premiere put paid to all the rumours.

But then, after the release of Dillagi, the rumours made a vehement return. And, this time, the sources were quite believable. The reason for his heart attack, apparently, was the dismal failure of Sunny's directorial debut at the box office.

Our Jat hero, fortunately, is made of sterner stuff. He has seen so many ups and downs in his life that he can probably absorb this shock, and some more... In fact, he told one of his close associates, "Why should Sunny feel low because of the failure of Dillagi? Arre, abhi to poori zindagi padi hain picturein banane ke liye (After all, he has the rest of his life to make movies)."

Obviously, it's this 'never-say-die' spirit that sees the Jat through all his adversities.

Dreams unlimited

Talking of producers, Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla are taking their roles very seriously. Not only have they invested money in Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, they have taken time off from all their other shooting schedules to concentrate on this venture. Which means attending office and discussions and more discussions. Only, in this case, the discussions led to more discussions and no decisions.

Reports have it that they have been watching the film over and over again, looking to see how it can be improved. Private screenings of the songs have been held for filmmakers like Subhash Ghai, Ramgopal Varma, Shashilal Nair and Rajiv Mehra.

While they are not doing all this, they are generating mini-fortunes by going on shows. Part of this revenue is being invested in the film, part of it is being used to buy equipment that their production house, Dreamz Unlimited, needs. Once the film is complete, the equipment will be hired out to those who can afford it.

Salman-Ash back on track...

Incidentally, while on the Juhi-Shah Rukh shows, they did one in Singapore with Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan.

Looks like the Salman-Aishwarya romance is still on and in full swing. How else does one explain the fact that Ash's mother, Brinda, does not escort her daughter for only those shows where Salman is also present? "After all," she was heard telling a close confidante, "Ash is going to Singapore only for a day."

Salman spent his days wooing the beauty queen, but Ash spent the nights locked up in her room leaving poor Salman to hit the bottle for solace. It was left to the chivalrous Shah Rukh to give him company.

...but the Juhi-Salman war rages on

It does not look like Salman and Juhi are going to shake hands and make up in the near future. There is no love lost between the two and the tension is palpable in their public appearances as well.

Salman, it seems, has refused to perform any items with Juhi. Not that Juhi seemed to mind in the least; she seems quite content doing shows, and items, with Shah Rukh.

Their battle has become so bitter that Salman and Juhi do not even acknowledge each another in public. In fact, their cold vibes could freeze anyone.

Juhi and the PM's office

While on Juhi, did you that she was one of the few actresses invited to campaign for our dear Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee? It was her clean, flawless and non-scandalous reputation that earned her this honour.

Unfortunately, Juhi could not make it. The prime minister was not around on the days she was free while, on the days that she could go, the PM had other engagements.

The return of the Kapoor

A rather excited Rishi Kapoor recently left for an outdoor shooting schedule of Devgan Productions' Raju Chacha. "I have not gone out on shooting for a long time," he confessed charmingly. "The last time I did it, it was for the shooting of my film, Aa Ab Laut Chalein. And that, definitely, was no relaxation; it was only hectic work and tension."

The accomplished actor seemed rather tense about his rebirth before the camera. "Kar paaonga na (Will I be able to do it)?," he kept questioning his wife, Neetu, and friends. "I have not faced the camera for such a long time that I feel I have forgotten how to act. Do you think I have forgotten to act?" he asked, reaching out for yet another glass of his favourite whiskey for support.

Methinks, though, it was more of an excuse to drink because Neetu has started keeping tabs.

-- The Insider