What do these actors have in common with Diwali phatakas

BOMAN IRANI AND AN ANAAR: The anaar or fountain in English, is a very popular cracker. That's Bollywood's funny man for you, got into acting after 40, (absolutely unthinkable these days with a premium on youth) and now seems quite the 'fountain' of wisdom at filmi events exhorting people not to give up on their dreams.

Kareena Kapoor and phooljhadi: Also called a sparkler in English, the phooljhadi is the ubiquitous for-all-ages cracker every Diwali. So, Bebo fits the bill because Miss Pouty Lips and Silky Hair was perfect for the character so 'phool' of herself in Karan Johar's Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham. Like she kept saying in the movie, whateva!

Malaika Arora Khan and an Atom bomb: Call it the item number of the year but the leggy, cleavage-revealing Mrs Arora-Khan takes this for (no prizes for guessing) Munni Badnaam Hui and her Zandu balm, an atom-bomb act. This Diwali, the siren who gave 'items' a new meaning, Munni sex bomb hui, darrrrling tere liye.

Mallika Sherawat and a snake: A cracker called snake resembles a pellet. Light it and a black, writhing, snake emerges. Sherawat's movie Hiss makes her an apt nominee for this cracker. Besides, the textile-challenged Sherawat does little more than writhe in her movies, but watch out, Hiss-tory has proved skin shows can only last that long.

Ranbir Kapoor and a rocket: Neetu and Rishi Kapoor's son is all set to zoom into Bollywood greatness. He fits the bill too because he acted in the movie, Rocket Singh, where he played a nervous novice in the working place, the new boy on the block and butt of laughter, with paper rockets flying all around him.