Vickey Lalwani

Vivek was first choice for Sandhya

It turns out Jackie Shroff was not the first choice for Ayesha Productions' Sandhya. Director Sangeeth Sivan says, "Ayesha did not want Jackie in the lead. Our first choice was Vivek Oberoi. But Vivek was not too keen. He wanted to do a few commercial movies first and establish himself before experimenting with a psycho-horror thriller like Sandhya.

"We wanted to make a quickie," Sivan adds, "so we decided to go with Jackie. Since it is his home production, he would help us speed matters."

Uday owes Arjun!

Arjun Rampal was Padam Kumar's first choice for his forthcoming directorial venture, Supari.

Kumar claims he had finalised Rampal before the latter became busy with some big banner films. Besides, the image he had developed, Kumar felt, would not suit the character in his film.

Enter, as a result, Uday Chopra.

M F Husain and Tabu turn festive

In an attempt to promote the film Meenaxi -- A Tale Of Two Cities, painter-director M F Husain and actress Tabu have decided to participate in a number of international film festivals.

The film, which has Tabu playing a double role, has mainly been shot in Jaisalmer, Bangalore and Prague.

Navneet Nishan shifting focus?

Navneet Nishan, who shot to fame with a pivotal role in the controversial teleserial Tara, seems to be looking northwards.

Her appearances in Bollywood's Wah! Tera Kya Kehna and Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai have been unimpressive and she has only Dharmesh Darshan's next.

Navneet recently appeared in a Punjabi film Jee Aayu Nu with Harbhajan Maan. The film was a hit and she has now landed a role in another Punjabi film.