Producer Ramoji Rao and director K Vijaya Bhaskar's Tujhe Meri Kasam, a remake of their Telugu hit, is one of the biggest money spinners in recent times. The film, a huge success in Bihar, entered its 16th week in Patna and other centres in Bihar, UP, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Leading man Ritesh Deshmukh, son of former Maharashta chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, says, "I am thrilled with the audience reaction, especially in Bihar. Tujhe Meri Kasam was unfairly pulled out of theatres in other parts of the country when it released in the first week of the year. With the World Cup round the corner, distributors were in a hurry to release their films. Tujhe Meri Kasam was a casualty of that rush. Wherever it was given a chance to grow, the film has become a success."

Everyone is now talking about Vashu Bhagnani's English venture Out Of Control, where Deshmukh stars opposite two girls. One of them, Brande Rodericks, is from the television series, Baywatch. "My friends are jealous. They want to be my body double in the film," he grins.

Bhagnani has also signed Deshmukh for his fast-paced action thriller, Bisaat.

E Niwas [Shool, Dum] has signed him for Bardaasht, where he plays Bobby Deol's younger brother. Deshmukh says candidly, "I am the second lead in both Bisaat and Bardaasht. Zayed Khan and Bobby have the main roles."

Incidentally, Tujhe Meri Kasam is a bigger success than Khan's debut film, Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne (with Esha Deol), or any of Deol's recent releases.

Deshmukh, who is confident of creating his own niche in Bollywood, says, "Bardaasht is written by Vikram Bhatt [Ghulam, Raaz]. He was to direct it. Since he didn't have the time, he passed it to E Niwas, who is very good at his job."

Out Of Control will be shot in New York and is expected to work wonders for Deshmukh's career. "Has that not already happened?" asks the trained architect who is now looking to carve a career as an actor. "My debut film, which was written off on day one, is still running to packed houses in various parts of the country."