What the stars foretell for tinsel town

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">MUMBAI: It''s the stars the world revolves around. Theoretically, figuratively, astrologically and now, even film-centrically. Be it the fireballs in the sky, the zodiacal glide of the planets or the tinsel <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">tamasha </span>onscreen - it''s the stars which make the world pulsate.<br /><br />And now, more than ever before, people are taking to astrology to guide them through troubled times and show them the path.Also, as always, it is the susceptible egos of our fragile movie stars who are looking skyward (or palm-ward) for answers.<br /><br />I myself am a firm believer that our destinies are entwined with the movement of Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, Pluto, Mars, Mercury and their stellar family. But it amused me no end when I read a declaration by an astrologer last week that the dip in fortunes of our mega movie industry was because the city of the stars had changed its name.<br /><br />"It was ''Bombay'' earlier, which was numerologically compatible with the movie world of glamour and glitz. And now, ever since it was re-christened ''Mumbai'', the numbers don''t match. Hence the dip in ''numbers'' (at the turnstiles?)," was the contention of our astro friend.<br /><br />He went on to add that also, due to the numerical change, the city was not only losing its throne of glamour, but also its status as commercial capital of the country. <br /><br />Now that is bad news, especially for the corporates who are now poised to be the next in line financiers for the next production line of cinema.<br /><br />Now I don''t know about that, but considering that the movie world has slipped a bit down the ladder of glitz, maybe there is some truth in the ''numbers'' game. <br /><br />Of course, when Anil Kapoor said, "I don''t believe in the rat race, because at the end of it you still remain a rat!" he was probably referring to the real rodents. And not the Chinese astro symbol that would foretell his future. <br /><br />But Anil does believe in astrology. For when I introduced him to a well-known, Delhi-based master of <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">prashan lagn</span>, Namita Vadehra, he was quick to take her aside and ask how the then about-to-be-released <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Nayak </span>would fare. <br /><br />The no-nonsense lady took one look at her watch, then at him, and replied, "Not good. Time is not right!" Kapoor was so shaken up, all he could do was grimace sportingly and say, "<span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Yaar</span>, at least you could''ve lied and said okay." But to his credit, Anil was sporting about it. <br /><br />Another believer is Govinda. To the extent that he wears various semi-precious, astro stones set in rings to offset any evil eye. And of late, he''s decided that his nickname of many years, Chi Chi, is not compatible with him numerically. So he insists that he be called only Govinda by all. <br /><br />Only his nearest and dearest can call him Chi Chi now. That shouldn''t affect the stars, because the near ones always mean well. That''s logical alright.<br /><br />I remember many years ago, when Salman was starting his career, and had just signed his first film; I had fixed a photo-call with another newcomer Juhi Chawla and him. After the shoot, he looked up at the evening sky over bandstand, right opposite his Bandra home, and said, "My name will be up there in the stars some day." <br /><br />It must have been a sincere wish because well and truely, Salman did go on to become one of the bright stars in the firmament.<br /><br />However, when it came to actually having a star named after him, it was another Khan who beat out Sallu. One of Shah Rukh''s fans took the opportunity he got with the world astronomy association (whatever) and got a star named after the Scorpio hero. <br /><br />However, when it came to trusting astrology, obviously SRK wasn''t so lucky. The advice of some to have the ''h'' in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Asoka</span> dropped, didn''t pump up the box office. If anything, it made the movie go down under. Maybe the ''h'' he dropped would''ve stood for a hit? But SRK jokes about it even now, swearing to trust instinct over astrology next time. Or at least go to a better predictor.<br /><br />Ektaa Kapoor is another believer in the fates, but her numerological rearrangement of the titles of her two films, <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Kyunki Main Jhoot Nahin Bolta </span>and <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Kuch To Hai </span>didn''t work either. Maybe the formula changes if stretched from small to big screen? Possible? Remind me to consult my astro-kermit.<br /><br />Mr Shetty, switching from Sunil to ''Suneil''; Bebo from Kareena to ''Kareina'', (is Preity the original John Doe?) and so on and so forth. But did the changes help any? That''s something only the ''stars'' can tell (pun unintended).<br /><br />But maybe there is something in the Bombay to Mumbai formula that has changed some fortunes here?<br /><br />Look at the big blockbusters failing. The underworld-star nexus all over the news; the lack of finance in the movie industry and the gloss generally getting worn out a bit when it comes to star status.<br /><br />Except for one mighty man called Amitabh Bachchan, whose fortunes only grow northwards all on the strength of his amazing talent and goodwill, the rest of the star fortunes seem to be looking southwards. Is it in the ring he wears? The stone in the ring? Maybe, maybe not. <br /><br />Why don''t we look into our crystal balls for the answer to what really plagues the industry. Or should we look skyward? <br /><br />Bombay, anyone?</div> </div>