Ash keeps Vivek company

Vivek Oberoi (Company, Saathiya) is apparently planning to produce a film.

Rumoured to be based on the novel Azizunbai, the film is a love story between a courtesan and a rebel.

Oberoi plays the lead and 'good friend' Aishwarya Rai, his romantic interest. The duo are already working together in Samir Karnik's Kyun? Ho Gaya Na Pyaar and may also act together in Roland Joffe's The Invaders.

The actor is hoping to rope in Rajkumar Santoshi to direct his film.

Socha Na Tha it'd come to a standstill

Sunny Deol's launch pad for his cousin Abhay -- Socha Na Tha -- has been stalled.

The film, which was to be directed by Imtiaz Ali, would have introduced Abhay opposite Ayesha Takia, who features in D J Aqeel's Shake it daddy remix video.

Socha Na Tha was launched more than two years ago. Sandhya Mridul -- yes, she of SET Max's 2003 cricket World Cup coverage with Mandira Bedi & Co -- who played Rani Mukherji's elder sister in Saathiya, also stars in the film.

The film has apparently run into three roadblocks -- lack of funds, Ayesha's attitude and Sandhya's bloated head after the success of Saathiya and Max's 'Extraaa Innings'.

The next best thing

The surprise success of Ken Ghosh's Ishq Vishk has made its hero, Shahid Kapur, the new teen sensation.

Touted as the 'next best thing', Kapur is certainly going places. Filmmakers like Subhash Ghai, Vikram Bhatt, Ramoji Rao and Anees Bazmee have shown an interest in the 22-year-old actor.

Kapur, however, is in no hurry to sign any film.

In the cans

Owing to financial problems, four Suniel Shetty starrers -- Khanjar (Tabu), Ek Hindustani (Raveena Tandon), Ek Se Badhkar Ek (Raveena) and Radheshyam Sitaram (Aishwarya in a double role) -- are lying in the cans.

Khanjar was slated to release in March.

Ek Hindustani was launched five years ago.

Ek Se Badhkar Ek, earlier titled Kasam Se, was originally scheduled for a 2001 release. Repeated re-shoots have delayed the Kundan Shah ribtickler's theatrical release.

Radheshyam Sitaram was supposed to hit the marquee early this May.

Now, even Suneil does not know when the films will finally be released.

Rawal Grover in London

Television actor Ajit Pal was to make his directorial debut in Jaane Kaise Kab Kahan with Karan Nath (Paagalpan) and Tanuja's youngest daughter, Tanisha. The film, like Socha Na Tha, is on hold now.

Pal, instead, will direct a crossover flick, We Live In London. Produced by T P Aggarwal, the film stars Gulshan Grover and Paresh Rawal. 

The rest of the cast will comprise foreign actors.

Pooja's full house

Pooja Batra's theatre debut -- Ek Se Bhale Do -- co-starring Rohit Roy and Tanaaz Currim -- premiered to packed houses in Dubai this week.

Directed by Paritosh Painter, the comedy is produced by Kamlesh Bhuptani Chaku and Asha of Sai Entertainment.