If it’s May, it’s Ray

Sharmila Tagore may have her hands full as the head of the censor board, but she’ll always have times for her old mentor. And that’s why she has agreed to be the main guest for a programme being held in Calcutta to mark Satyajit Ray’s 86th birth anniversary on May 3. Ray was very fond of his ‘Aparna’ — and, not surprisingly, his son, the director, Sandeep Ray, is all for Tagore’s presence at the function. Tagore is expected to speak about her association with Ray, and recall her experiences in films such as Apur Sansar and Devi. As next month’s programme would demonstrate, old ties don’t die; they just become more knotted.

Art sell

Insurance may be her first love but Ritu Nanda is painting an equally successful story in art. Nanda, who is one of the top 1,000 insurance professionals in the world and a Guinness record holder in the number of pension policies sold on a single day, also runs a firm that buys and sells art. In June, the chairperson of Rimari India is all set to take art to a mall. Nanda has signed up with Ishanya — an upcoming speciality mall in Pune focusing on design and architecture — to set up an art gallery there. Clients can pick and choose from an extensive collection of 17,000 paintings, or hire the customised services of over 200 artists. “So far, we’ve grown by word of mouth,” says Nanda. “With Ishanya, I believe I am at the right place at the right time.” Sound policy.

House hunting?

The film’s fortunes were reportedly not a deterrent for the director’s largesse towards his leggy debutante. According to tabloid reports, Ram Gopal Varma is busy hunting for an apartment to gift his Nishabd heroine, Jiah Khan. Quiz Varma about it and he texts back: “Actually a bungalow as v ar starting a family.” He laughs it off later on the phone with a “if I were to buy houses for all my girlfriends I would be living in a hut.” Did Varma just admit to Jiah being his girlfriend?

Shobhaa’s day

Guess what Shobhaa De is working on these days? No, we are not talking about a new steamy book or a soap script. The gorgeous daughter-in-law of Bengal is designing and displaying saris. London’s fashion circle celebrated Baisakhi this year with an evening dedicated to the sari. In front of a large gathering of movers and shakers at the Mint Leaf Restaurant in central London, the six-yard drape took on different hues, motifs and texture. And behind the saris were, apart from De, designers Satya Paul and Deepika Gehani. The model-turned-editor-turned-writer turned quite a few heads — this time with her cocktail sari collection, inspired by natural motifs such as the lotus and the bamboo. What next, Ms De?

In Grandad’s footsteps

His grandfather was the director of big-budget winners such as Pakeezah, Mahal, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai and Razia Sultan. Now Kamal Amrohi’s banner is being revived by grandson Mashhoor Khan. All of 24, Mashhoor is scripting, directing and acting in Hum Laakh Chhupayein Pyaar... Magar. But unlike his grandfather who loved period films, Khan has opted for a romantic comedy set in Singapore about the happy-go-lucky lifestyles of the very young. “I know comparisons with my grandfather are inevitable. But I will have my own individuality and still do my banner proud,” says Mashhoor. New chip off the old block? Time will tell.