Bhansali opts for A R Rahman

After Ismail Darbar composed the highly popular music of Devdas, one expected director Sanjay Leela Bhansali to repeat him in his next venture, Bajirao Mastani. But that is not to be. Bhansali has signed ace music director A R Rahman instead.

Bajirao Mastani stars Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the title roles.

The film's second leading lady, however, is yet to be decided. Earlier rumours had hinted that Katrina Kaif, who is apparently seeing Salman, was to do the role. Now, however, the grapevine is buzzing about how Esha Deol has been approached to play Salman's wife in the film.

MPKDH poised for success

Director Sooraj Barjatya must be a happy man. His fourth film, Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon (Hrithik Roshan, Kareena, Abhishek Bachchan), seems all set to follow in the successful footsteps of his earlier releases -- Maine Pyaar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and Hum Saath-Saath Hain.

The Rajshri film is generating a very positive buzz overseas, particularly in the UK and US. Buyers there are willing to pay its high asking price.

Exhibitors are booking MPKDH on very good terms throughout India as well.

Chandni Bar heads for Moscow

Director Madhur Bhandarkar is on cloud nine. His film Chandni Bar has been selected to screen at the Golden Knights Moscow Film Festival.

"I am leaving for the IIFA Awards tonight," he said excitedly. "I'll be back on May 20. On May 22, I leave for Moscow. Wish me luck!"

Bollywood legends stamped

On May 15, the Department of Posts and Telegraph will bring out a set of commemorative stamps as a tribute to the legendary Indian playback singers Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar, Mohammed Rafi and Mukesh.

Yukta Mookhey signs new film

Former Miss World Yukta Mookhey will be seen as the female lead in Jay Vijaya Productions' untitled film.

The film will be produced by K Balakrishna and directed by Raj Nayyar, a former assistant to director Raj Kumar Santoshi (The Legend Of Bhagat Singh).

Rajakumar & sons get their act together

Kannada superstar Dr Rajakumar is planning a new film.

The announcement has generated huge interest, since the cast includes all his three sons -- popular Kannada star Shivraj Kumar, Raghavendra and Puneet.

K Bhayaraj will pen the story.

Raima Sen joins Fun2shh

Producers Dhillin Mehta and Seema Kar have signed Raima Sen for their film, Fun2shh.

The film, which is being directed by debutante Imtiaz Punjabi, stars Anuj Sawhney, Netanya Singh and Iqbal Khan.

Mehta and Kar are also producing Agni Pankh starring Jimmy Shergill, Shamita Shetty and Rahul Dev.

Aashish Chanana turns producer

Aashish Chanana, who tried his luck as an actor in Prasan Kapoor's Aag Aur Shola (Mandakini, Jeetendra), has now resurfaced as a producer. His company is called Media Factory.

He says, "I plan to produce five films a year. Most of them will be crossover films. For starters, I have engaged the services of Ravi Rai [who is also directing a film for Mani Ratnam and Subhash Ghai], Revathi [national award-winning director of Mitr], Anant Mahadevan and Pooja Bhatt. The fifth film will be directed by me.

"I have also tied up with an American production house. Come January 2004, we will be producing an English film that will be directed by Somnath Sen [who directed the Dimple Kapadia-starrer Leela]."