Usha goes single
Bad news first. Usha Bachani's marriage is over. Married in 2000, rumoured to be pregnant in 2002, latest heard is that she has walked out on her love-that-was Mahesh Anand.
Reason: Wife-beating.
Culprit: Alcohol.
Seems that Mahesh was a gem till he took his glass in his hand every evening. After that, he was, to say the least, nauseating.

She was last seen in Zee's Dil Na Jaane Kyon, the first series in the ongoing 64 Panne slot. While on the movie front, she has a soon to be released film called Pyaar Kiya Nahin Jaata in her kitty. Come to think of it, both the titles could describe her life story quite aptly.

Neena's books!

Penguin publications have approached Neena Gupta to turn her Saans and Son Pari (when it concludes) into print. Neena is quite excited and wants to make some additions too, perhaps those sections that have been edited out from the serial. Something to hook even those who've seen the serials, I guess.

But the million dollar question is: when books on films like Asoka and Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham did not sell much, how would books on Saans and Son Pari set the cash registers ringing?

Eva soars temperature

…not with her hot looks, but with her unprofessional attitude. Eva Grover has stormed out of the serial Karishma Ka Karishma simply because she thought that she was not getting enough importance. Cheeky girl gifted away all her allotted dates to Kittie Party.

Director Sunil Doshi of KKK is spitting fire. Wonder what footage the dame would get in a serial which, though it started like a Ferrari, is now moving like a handcart.

Ektaa listens

Now for the good news. Guess what, Ektaa Kapoor pays heed to advice. Ektaa's latest SMS to me: "By Teesha's death in Kyunki... I wanted to create anguish." To an extent, she has succeeded.

Guess my constant messages (through this column of course!) have worked. It was just two weeks back that I had cribbed about her serial losing its charm. But with this move Ektaa has shot two birds with one stone. After the collision drama, besides the twist in the tale, Mandira would also be excused. Apparently, Mandira had informed her that she couldn't do it any further, courtesy her film assignments.

Goes without saying, regular check-ups are required hereafter. But of course under Ektaa's personal supervision.

Niki gets hotter

With the Lakme Fashion Week having culminated, those of you who are missing the dose of 'oohs' and 'aahs' look no further. Presenting for your style health, Niki Aneja Walia's designer wear. Guess what she designs! Blouses!! Bet they're hot when they come from Niki!!!

Sudha Shivpuri drops a film

Sudha Shivpuri aka 'Ba' of Kyunki... has left a film because the producer refused to give her an extra air ticket for a foreign destination.

She tells me, "I explained to him that I would not travel alone at this age. But the guy would not listen. I recall my husband Omji (Shivpuri) had developed a breathing problem on an outdoor shoot at a high altitude, but hardly anybody bothered to give him adequate medical attention. I am not a Nirupa Roy that unitwallahs would hanker around me. Anyway, soon you'll see me in Pinjar (starring Urmila Matondkar, Priyanshu Chatterjee)."

Atta Ba!

Aashish not in a hurry

"I am not in a hurry to reach anywhere," says Aashish Chowdhary who made his first splash in Bollywood in Qayamat recently. "I want to alternate one commercial film with an offbeat one," he says.

"I am not here to sign autographs. I am doing a film by Ramgopal Varma's cousin Som Shekhar Varma. Then, there's Raj Kaushal's Shaadi Ka Laddoo, a comedy flick to be shot in London, in which I co-star with real-life girlfriend Samita Bangargi. It also stars the director's wife Mandira Bedi with Sanjay Suri. I was offered all the Balaji serials, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kkusum, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kasautii Zindagii Kay... They were even willing to offer me Rs 30,000 per episode but I said no. I didn't want to do any television after Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye," he added.

Wwhether Aashish took a wise decision or not, time will certainly tell. You are on trial, man...

Lucky Salil

Did you know that Meghna Naidu (of 'Kaliyon Ka Chamman' fame) is doing a film called Shock? But bet you don't know that TV actor Salil Ankola is playing her husband in the film. I can't avoid going green with envy.

That's enough juice for seven days. So get back here next Saturday with your empty glasses - same place, same time.