Aamne Saamne

It could have been an event straight out of a scriptwriter's notes, except it happened. Really.

Sunday saw St Andrews Auditorium in Bandra hosting an event by Peek A Boo, a concert titled Dance of the World, presented by deaf and mute children. Interestingly, the guest list, unknown to the guests themselves, included Anuj Saxena as well as Manish and Poonam Goel. The hosts may not have realised their irony of the invites, as Anuj and Manish have been unable to see eye to eye for over one year now.

Interestingly, Anuj's invite originated from his business interests (the actor's family holds majority interest in Elder Pharma), while Manish and Poonam came along with their son Aryaveer as celeb guests.

Both occupied extreme ends of the same row and obviously enjoyed the entire show, but kept discreetly away from each other. The one time friends seemed in no hurry to patch up their differences. Did they even know they would be bumping into each other this way?

You couldn't have told, judging by their countenances. But then, haven't they all been in showbiz long enough to mask what they really feel.

Parvati turns Saakshi didi!

People who are glued to watching Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii would soon wonder whether they will have to endlessly wait to see Parvati aka Saakshi Tanwar fall for Suyesh Mehra ( Mohnish Behl). Meanwhile the low profile Saakshi Tanwar seems to be having a good time doing different kinds of ads on public issues. While Sakshi is currently seen in an ad for Tikakaran Saptah she has also been seen in an MTNL ad lately. Perhaps all the Saakshi fans would like to also see her in a new avtaar(read glamorous) and we hope Balaji ponders over the same.

No kidding!

Manish Goel's got a lot on his mind. And no, it ain't just acting. Manish and wife Poonam have been spending the last few months scouting for the right play school for their one and half year old son Aryaveer.

"We have just zeroed in on a school in Juhu that he will start attending from June," beams the proud papa. "Poonam has been very particular about which school he should go to, I think she must have checked out several of them," laughs Manish. The parents are quite excited at the thought of little Arya beginning school, even though it's just a nursery. "And to think this is just the beginning!" grins Manish. We agree, Manish, we agree.

Kasamh Se sisters donate dough!

The Kasamh Se sisters found quite a meaningful way of celebrating Woman's Day. On the occasion, Prachi Desai (Bani of Kasamh Se) and her on screen sister Rano(Arunima Choudhary)decided to donate a small token on behalf of the reel sisters to the Barbhaya Orphanage for Hindu Girls in Vile Parle (suburban Mumbai).
And this is not all the sisters also donated pre-owned clothes, choclates and biscuits for the young girls who are in the age group of 6-17 years.
Kudos to the lovely ladies, we say!

Mona jaisi koi nahin!

A touching story made its way to us a couple of days back and since, it concerned our own Mona Singh, we decided to share the info with all her fans!

When the lady was appearing for her Bcom exams, she was suffering from severe back ache. The pain was so excruciating that she was contemplating using a wheelchair and use a writer to write her exams!

But there was something that inspired the actor to overcome her physical pain and take the exams on her own! Her father, Jasvir Singh was in the Army, and due to a wound in his leg, Mr Singh is unable to use one of his feet. But despite this, he never complained or cribbed about his pain! And taking inspiration from her darling dad, Mona too rose against all odds and not only appeared for her exams, but managed a first class as well!

Way to go, Jassi!

Pakistan calling

Poonam Dhillon is the flavour of the season in Pakistan.
While her 1984 film, Sohni Mahiwal, is the only Indian film allowed to be screened in Pakistan, she is also doing a serial for a Pakistani TV producer, Anila Khan. “I was surprised when I got this call from Anila. But I loved the concept and said yes immediately,” she reveals. Portions of the serial have already been shot in Pakistan in December 2005.

The serial (as yet untitled) is likely to be telecast on Geo channel from March. Pakistani actors crossing the border to act in Bollywood films is old news. The trend now seems to be Indian TV stars gravitating towards Pakistan. There are also talks of Mona Wasu having agreed to do a Pakistani serial called Rookhey Naina. Says Mona, “I am required to shoot only for ten days in Pakistan. If I have enough dates, I will be shooting five days in February and five in March." Is Pakistan the next green pasture for our TV actors after theatre?

Kishwar partying minus Hiten??

One half of a couple partying alone? Well, that's enough to get the rumour mills talking! While people are ready to jump to conclusions and tear a couple apart at the drop of a hat, Kishwar Merchant, who was seen partying alone without her beau, Hiten at the party hosted by JD Majethia, rubbished claims of an alleged breakup!

"He is busy shooting in Nainital for Darna Mana Hai and will be back soon," says the sporting Kishwar who is happy playing Vanshika in Kkavyanjali. Here's hoping Hiten gets back to the city really soon and the much in love couple get time to hang out together.

Gaurav and Kanchi turn Miss India hosts!

Telly Stars are more to be seen doing concerts and hosting shows now a days. Gaurav Gera better known as Nandu will soon be seen hosting the Femina Miss India curtain raiser. Gaurav is currently doing Sony's Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin and also The Great Indian Comedy Show on Star One. Kanchi Kaul, the Kashmiri dame who will most probably host the Femina Miss India says, "They had offered me to host the event. But I haven't called them back; most probably I will be doing it."

Great way to earn extra bucks, we say!