MATURITY MATTERS: Neetu Chandra

Pallbearer to  daddy dearest       When Neetu Chandra's father succumbed to cancer last year, she was told that a daughter wasn't supposed to go to the crematorium. But she refused to listen. "I thought that if I could shoulder his responsibility. I had every right to be part of his last rites. That's why I insisted on being a pallbearer, Later, when I searched the reasons for barring women from being part of this ritual, I found that it was devised because women are supposedly chicken-hearted. Idon't buy the logic and hence, revolted," she said.         Her father's death matured Neetu by at least 20 years, "If all of us are supposed to die one day. what's the use of having any ego? That's precisely the reason why I took to producing a Bhojpuri film.Making money is fine but at least, I'm involved in something that'll revamp the image of the industry in the eyes of the nation."         The philosophical Neetu also seemed pretty sorted out in terms of understanding her place in Bollywood. "Stars are made while actors are born. Tehn, there are some who become actors because they are fortunate enough to get multiple opportunities," So, what about Freida Pinto - is she a star or an actor? "Freida Pinto - is she a star or an actor? "Freida is yet to prove herself. We can take a call on that once her Woody Allen film releases. Her stars are favouring her and as an Indian, I'm proud of her. Despite my talent. I've not been offered a Woody Allen film. Freida, in contrast, is already a star made by a director and her stars."

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GOING PLACES: Resul Pookutty

Bigger than the Oscar ....that's how Resul Pllkutty describes his latest achievement      It's yet another feather in Resul Pookutty's cap. For, the Oscar winning sound engineer has been recently bestowed with an international honour. Resul is now among 135 artistes and executives who have been invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to join as a voting member. Needless to say, the technician is super happy.       "I'm exhilarated," says he, "It was in the coming for quite a while but the actual announcement of the list was certainly great news for me."        Post the honours that came with Slumdog..., what does this announcement mean for him, personally? "This is bigger than the Oscar," gushes the engineer, "Becoming a voting member means that I'll be part of the committee that decides which film wins and why. That's a huge recognition for Indian cinema."        So, will he be part of a sequel to Slumdog Millionaire if ever there was one made? "Well, I'd be part of anything that Danny Boyle does," states resul, "In fact, I think I'd park myself outside his house and do a satyagraha  so that he makes me part of all his forthcoming projects!"        On the Kollywood front, the technician is part of the Rajini starreer Endhiran, considered one of the biggest projects in Indian cinema. "The film has a different soundscape," he says, "It's a futuristic concept and there's a lot to explore in terms of sound."          Any final words? "Oscar was a dream for me. Now, the news that I'm a voting member is bigger than that dream," he signs off.

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Mugdha Godse

Why's Mugdha trying bhajiyas ?        Mugdha Godse, whose career is on slow burn after director Rohit Shetty and Madhur Bhandarkar left her to fend for herself, is apparentlyin the monsoon mode.         Now, we hear that the actress, whose culinary skills were as limited as her acting skills; is suddenly in the mood to learn to fry hot bhajiyas.         And that a few days ago, she rolled up her sleeves and got her maid to teach her the fine art of bhajiya-making. Of course, the only saving grace in this whole adventure for Mugdha is that, despite gorging on those bhajiyas, she still has a fine shape.        One that can make Madhur or Rohit rediscover her at any point, if they choose to.

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