BOLLYWOOD NEWS REVIEW 2002
Rupa Goes Down Memory Lane

Another year has passed by with 2002 witnessing a fare share of highs and lows, events, award ceremonies, controversies, births, deaths, anniversaries, engagements and birthdays, making 2002 a unique year for Bollywood-goers.

New year's resolutions saw Aamir Khan deciding to quit smoking, whilst pushing his film, Lagaan, to be taken on at the Academy Awards ceremony, in the best foreign picture category. Meanwhile Bollywood bags international film funding for future projects. Salman Khan's abusive ways leaks all over the press, when Aishwarya Rai's father issues a complaint against Salman.

Lagaan sweeps the Filmfare awards, bagging 7 trophies, including best actor, best film and best director. The film also confirms a spot at the Oscars. Salman swears on a BBC prime time radio show, and Andrew Lloyd Webber's much anticipated musical, Bombay Dreams, graces London.

London newspaper, The Evening Standard runs a front-page story in their magazine, comparing Bollywood actors with Hollywood actors; Madhuri Dixit is Gweneth Paltrow, whilst Hritik Roshan is Josh Harnett, and Shahrukh Khan is Brad Pitt! Aamir returns to home shores empty handed, but is welcomed by 100's of supporters who are very proud of the Khan.

Vivek Oberoi and Antara Mali are added to the crop of newcomers; only these two seem to have something your average star-offspring doesn't - guts to dabble in unconventional films. Anand Bakshi, one of Bollywood's most respected and talented lyricists passes on. Meanwhile Salman Khan sports a bald look and shows it off at the IIFA Awards held at Malaysia. Back home Madhuri wants to launch a line of beauty products, and Aishwarya receives some cow urine in her post box, as a proposal to promote the effectiveness of it!

Devdas is taken to the Cannes Film Festival, and although it runs out of competition, it's the first Bollywood film to be screened at the prestigious festival. An ocean of press and photographers welcome Shahrukh, Aishwarya and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. But the burning question on everyone's lips is, "where's Madhuri?" London store, Selfridges, goes Bollywood crazy as renovations go underway to give their customers a complete Bollywood experience.

Ajay Devgan and Bobby Deol battle it out in their versions of the trials and tribulations of Bhagat Singh. However the audience feel there were two Bhagat's too many! Madhuri is granted her television debut in the marriage programme, Kahin Naa Kahin Koi Hai, and Ram Gopal Verma plans his next venture with US production house, 20th Century Fox.

Sohail Khan debut's in Maine Dil Tujhko Diya whilst Vivek Oberoi gets engaged. Jennifer Lopez says "yes" to a south Indian film, but producers back out because her fee alone comes to the cost of the entire movie!

Madhuri's love affair with TV comes to a halt when rumours hit that SONY had plans to axe the show. Twinkle Khanna gives birth to a baby boy, whilst Sanjay lands in deep trouble with his underwold connections allegations. Manisha takes director Sashilal Nair to court, because of the misuse of her unlikely body double, in Ek Chhotisi Love Story. Meanwhile Karisma Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan officially announce their engagement, but the true surprise happens on the same night, at the same venue, when Sonali Bendre announces her engagement to director Goldie Behl! Salman hits the headlines again, when he lands himself in a car accident that resulted in a death. The actor faces prosecution for death due to negligence, as he was allegedly under the influence of alcohol whilst driving his vehicle.

Devdas still makes the headlines when it becomes India's entry at the Oscars for best foreign feature. This becomes a double celebration for screen queen, Madhuri Dixit, when she discovers she is pregnant!

Urmila sports a short hair cut for her forthcoming horror flick, Bhoot. The film co-stars Ajay Devgan, who is also going for a new look, and is directed by Ram Gopal Verma. Madhuri launches her line of beauty products: Beauty Secrets By Madhuri! Music directors, Anu Malik and Sandeep Chowta bag separate international projects. Salman gets himself into another car crash, but this time it's his driver who causes a car pile up.

Maliaka Arora-Khan, who appeared in Chaiya Chaiya from Dil Se, and husband, Arbaaz Khan become proud parents of a baby boy. Following much speculation of Aamir's marriage on the rocks, Aamir Khan divorces his wife Reena Khan after 17 years of marriage.

A year full of surprises and controversies, one anticipates a doubly eventful year in 2003!

WRITTEN BY RUPA NANDHA