Subhash K Jha

After the hugely successful Lagaan, Aamir Khan has no line-up of films. "In the last two years, I was completely consumed by Lagaan," says Aamir. "I've had no time to listen to new scripts. But I plan to rectify that as soon as I catch my breath."

Aamir is committed to a film for Amitabh Bachchan's AB Corp Ltd to be directed by his cousin Mansoor Khan. But with the original story of the film being rejected and a new subject yet to be finalised, it's doubtful whether the venture will go on the floors this year.

Aamir's next project will be directed by Ashutosh Gowariker's and will go into production in January 2003. Which means there will be no Aamir starrer in theatres for the next two years. "But that doesn't make me insecure," he says.

Shah Rukh Khan has to deal with a similar situation. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas, a film that promises to revolutionise the star's career, will be his last release for the moment. Although he has listenned to several scripts, he has signed only two films -- Karan Johar's love triangle with Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan and Farah Khan's directorial debut.

Besides Devdas, Shah Rukh has another film lined up for release next month -- Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam with Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan.

After Devdas (which releases in June), fans won't get to see Shah Rukh for another year. "Shah Rukh Khan has cleared his backlog and has not signed any films for the time being. That's the way to work," admires Akshaye Khanna, very choosy about roles himself.

With Salman Khan bent on hurling his career into oblivion, the only real superstars at the moment are Sunny Deol and Hrithik Roshan. Sunny Deol, who plans to produce his films, has out-priced himself from the mass market and made himself accessible only to a few hand-picked directors like Guddu Dhanoa and Anil Sharma.

As for Hrithik Roshan, after the failure of Vikram Bhatt's Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage (opposite Amisha Patel ), a lot depends on Arjun Sablok's Na Tum Jaano Na Hum (with Esha Doel ), due to release in May. He has great back-up of releases including his father Rakesh Roshan's Koi Mil Gaya, which carries fantastic reports.

Vivek Oberoi, whose debut performance in Ram Gopal Varma's Company, has just opened to a rousing reception is a strong candidate for the numero uno spot. His line-up of releases include Shaad Ali's marital drama Saathiya (with Rani Mukherjee) and Rajat Mukherjee's hardhitting thriller Road (with Antara Mali).

The industry will also see the emergence Raj Babbar's son Arya, who makes his debut in Raj Kanwar's Ab Ke Baras. Abhishek Bachchan and Tusshar Kapoor have a chance consolidate their positions at the marquee with Satish Kaushik's Dil Chor and Sanjay Chhel's Kya Dil Ne Kaha respectively.

As for Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, Suneil Shetty and Anil Kapoor, they are where Dharmendra used to be in his prime: hovering in the higher rungs, but never at the top.