There has been an impromptu deviation from the script. But no one's complaining. Andrew Lloyd-Webber's West End musical Bombay Dreams, soon to celebrate its first anniversary, is also witnessing the growing chemistry between Raza Jaffrey who plays poor-boy-made-good Akaash, and Preeya Kalidas who plays Akaash's on-stage lover. The British press reports that the two actors are now a full-fledged item off stage. A source close to Jaffrey and Kalidas is quoted in the Evening Standard as saying, "They seem very happy together. They have a real chemistry in the show and just hit it off. I am sure many of Jaffrey's fans will be disappointed because he is quite a pin-up." For Jaffrey and Kalidas, who will hand over their roles to newcomers Stephen Rahman-Hughes and Zehra Naqvi as their year in the limelight comes to a close, the end is only the beginning.

Big Shot

He may well be the "baby" of the Indian contingent for the 2004 Athens Olympics, but have no doubt that Chandigarh's shooting prodigy Abhinav Bindra is a big shot. He has become the first Indian to gain a berth in the men's individual event for the world's ultimate sports extravaganza. The 20-year-old son of a veterinarian-turned-agro exporter earned a quota position for the Olympics by winning a 10 m rifle bronze in the International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup in Munich on June 15. He has now set his eyes on the Olympics. "I look forward to shooting to my potential at Athens," says the young Khel Ratna and Arjuna awardee. Aiming high?

Runway Success

Kaveri Khullar, 23, had her strategy all marked out for the audition of Lakme India Fashion Week: to join 'em, surprise 'em. "I wore a long skirt, boots and a corset shirt instead of something short and slinky. The minute I did my first walk I knew I would be a shoo-in," says this 5 ft 11 inch assistant marketing manager of Virgin Records who is on the list of new LIFW models. The next move: London. "I have been asked by agencies like So Dam Tuff, Shades of Ebony, BMA Models, Rage and Ugly to come to London to audition," she says. If nothing else, Khullar knows how to market herself.

Do You Like It?

Think music from Goa and Remo Fernandes comes to mind, but that could change. The industry is keeping a close watch on Goa-based Oliver Sean, 25, who will release his debut album I Like It in London and Dubai. "I was approached by Sky TV to do live performances after they heard my single There she goes again. Ever since, I have been performing all over the world," says the curly-haired crooner. The album is "a mix of blues, rock and country with the tabla. The Indian influence is predominant everywhere and people love it". And just in case his songs don't stop you in your tracks, his looks will.

-Compiled by Kanika Gahlaut