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Vickey Lalwani
Amrita on Bollywood's hot seat
Amrita Rao debuted in Bollywood on an indifferent note with Raj Kanwar's Ab Ke Baras (costar Arya Babbar). She then made a brief appearance as Ajay Devgan's love interest in Rajkumar Santoshi's The Legend Of Bhagat Singh.
She is looking forward to her next release -- Tips Films' Ishq Vishq opposite newcomer Shahid and former MTV veejay Shenaz Treasurywalla. The promos are already airing on Indian television. The film releases in April.
Rao is also working in Farah Khan's directorial debut Main Hoon Na, Khan confirms from London.
She has now bagged Gaurang Doshi's Deewaar: Let's Bring Our Heroes Home starring Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye Khanna.
Money or merit?
Ever since Tusshar Kapoor replaced Akshaye Khanna in Rajkumar Santoshi's Khaki (also starring Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan, Aishwarya Rai), buzz is that Balaji Telefilms (the Kapoor home production) is responsible for his inclusion.
Producer Keshu Ramsay clarifies, "This speculation is bull. Tusshar is in my film solely on his merit as an actor."
No award, no cry
Vikram Bhatt is peeved that 2002's biggest blockbuster Raaz was sidetracked by all the major award functions.
"I guess there was something personal involved there," he says. "I don't give a damn about these awards. They can't judge my work."
Parvin plays safe
Monsoon Wedding's Parvin Dabas has opted out of the prestigious Israeli-American co-production Mondo Moderno (Modern World). Directed by Avi Nesher and distributed by Miramax Films, Mondo Moderno revolves around an Indian Jewish family that migrates to Israel.
"I opted out for personal reasons," he says. "The film was supposed to be shot in January. It got delayed. They are going to shoot for it in March and April. It will be foolish to go to Israel today when war clouds are looming large."