indian lord of the rings

Sporting a new short haircut, the musical genius has just completed the score for Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth follow-up The Golden Age and is working on Aishwarya Rai's historical romance, Jodhaa Akbar. Rahman recommends the following albums to listeners new to his work: Roja, Dil Se, Taal, Rang De Basanti and Guru.

Diva's tribute

Two of Bollywood's biggest playback singers were also in London last Saturday. Kavita Krishnamurthy and Alka Yagnik performed at the Barbican in a concert celebrating 60 years of Bollywood music. While it was great to see the ladies performing the Mangeshkar sisters' classics, one wished that the duo had focussed more on singing their own hits. When Krishnamurthy burst into her version of Kabhi Kabhie, it made me long for Lata didi's original.

The Endless Endorser

Shah Rukh Khan is unfazed by the controversy raging in India about his advertisements for a skin lightening cream for men. Why is King Khan perpetuating the notion that fair skin is lovely? In August, he refused to comment when I asked him about the subject. He brushed me off with the diplomatic "men in India need to look after their skin". An unconvincing line. Would he be endorsing other products in the future? "The more the merrier, I could promote journalism too!" he laughed.

Shilpa: the musical

Following the launch of her own perfume, and the announcement of plans for a chain of UK curry restaurants, Shilpa Shetty is now working on a musical called Miss Bollywood. Set against the backdrop of the London 2012 Olympics, it features Shilpa as Maya, a classically trained Indian dancer who dreams of establishing a dance academy. British fans of the Celebrity Big Brother star will get a chance to see her boogie on stage from November 3 at the Manchester Opera House.

Basu and Sir Ben

Sultry siren Bipasha Basu has confirmed she is to work on Sir Ben Kingsley's latest production. "Ben Kingsley has asked me to do it; we just need to work out the dates," she said. The production, about the building of the Taj Mahal, will also feature Aishwarya Rai, Sir Ben's co-star in the upcoming The Last Legion.

Sir Ben and Basu met recently at The New 7 Wonders of the World ceremony in Portugal, and decided they wanted to work together. "I want to do something exotic," Basu said. She could just have well have been referring to her alleged kiss in a nightclub with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo at the event.

Bollywood Bad

Whenever London born Upen Patel visits his homeland, the Shaka Laka star makes a conscious effort to woo the British media, especially the tabloids. Could it be because the Indian press appears to have little time for 'Bollywood Brad'? One irate reader questioned leading film magazine Filmfare for failing to nominate Patel as Best Newcomer in their recent awards. The editor replied: "Filmfare's reputation would be seriously tarnished if we nominated Upen." Ouch!