Top Nepali actress jives with Maoist supremo, in public

Top Nepali actress jives with Maoist supremo, in publicKathmandu, Nov 13 - A feisty Nepali actress has done a testosterone-pumping act in public with none other than Nepal's Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, getting the Maoist supremo to jive with her.

Rekha Thapa, one of the top 10 stars in Nepal's film industry, made a name for herself about three years ago when she chose to dispense with doubles and perform her own stunts.

The 20-something star probably performed her most popular stunt in the capital Thursday when she challenged Prachanda to jive with her - and he succumbed.

As the Maoists began their protest against the government, encircling key ministries and bringing the state machinery to a grinding hall, Prachanda himself led his supporters, promising that the demonstration would be a "carnival".

The singing and dancing crowds received a shot in the arm when Rekha, who along with several cine artistes had formally joined the Maoists this year, arrived at the spot.

Urged by the crowds to shake a leg, she told her fans: "I have always been dancing with film heroes. But today, I want to dance with the real hero of the country. If Prachanda agrees to dance with me, then I am ready to sing."

When the former prime minister, portly in his formal black suit, clambered up on the truck that was doing duty as the makeshift stage, the lissome Rekha, looking trendy in jeans and a short jacket, broke out into a popular love song.

As the former revolutionary, who had once a price on his head and learnt to make bombs in Bihar, swayed to the beat, spectators said the winsome actress whispered into his ears, asking him to join in the singing.

A blushing but game Prachanda joined in and the crowds broke out into thunderous applause.

Most of Nepal's dailies Friday carried photographs of the dancing duo.

But not all the views were charitable.

"While the people have been suffering (due to the Maoist blockade), Prachanda has been sashaying with actress Rekha Thapa to the beats of a love song," commented singer Ram Prasad Khanal, who left Nepal for the US after the fall of monarchy in the Himalayan kingdom. (IANS)