Now, here's a case of acting talent is in the eye of the director.

Because either Lara Dutta is a terrific actress, the potential of whom has been detected only by Mahesh Manjrekar or else he is looking for publicity.

Believe it or not, Mahesh is said to have approached Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta for a forthcoming film.

The beauty queen heard him out and expressed her inability to sign up for the film. But Manjrekar refused to see reason.

He insisted that she discuss with the relevant (Miss Universe organisers) authorities, whether they would permit her to work in a film.

When this reasoning failed, Mahesh is alleged to have thrust a signing amount into her hands with an assurance that he would wait for her term as Miss Universe to end to start shooting with her.

With a win-win proposition like this one, Ms Dutta must be feeling a few inches taller.

But wonder what she thinks now that Manjrekar's Kurukshetra has flopped?

Money-Manisha!

Kudos to Manisha Koirala.

The lure of moolah compelled her to sign up as hostess for Sawaal Dus Crore Ka, as a result of which many schedules are getting off gear.

One of the victims, a South producer, realised that his entire schedule was going haywire because the dates that were allotted to him coincided with those of the game show.

In a bid to accommodate the producer, Manisha is even said to have requested the producer to come to Bombay so that the shooting could go ahead in shifts.

However, when the arrangement didn't work out and the disgruntled filmmaker threatened to take up the matter with the Film Association, Manisha is said to have called him over. And, after a detailed discussion, coughed up Rs 20 lakh as compensation for the inconvenience caused.

Not only did she win him over, she even silenced her detractors.

Rana for hero

He is determined, you have to give him that.

Ashutosh Rana made his mark as a villain with Dushman.

But he now wants to play hero.

The inspiration, of course, being predecessors Vinod Khanna and Shatrughan Sinha. So now we have Ashutosh persuading filmmakers to cast him as hero.

Although he has signed on a few films, the offers are not, shall we say, top class?

But then, there's also the fact that Ashutosh is not exactly in a position to pick and choose, right?

Throw tantrum, will replace director!

Nana Patekar's eccentricity is legion.

And not many can handle him at his colourful best.

The actor is said to be throwing suggestions around and expecting everyone around to tow the line.

And woe betide those who dare to question him.

Director Raj Bharath did so on the sets of the Nana starrer Vadh. Only to be publicly humiliated by the actor and be shown the door at a shoot in Hyderabad.

Apparently, Nana did not like the manner in which the director requested him to enact a scene.

The matter doesn't end there. Raj Bharath refused to toe the line to become an armchair director and let the eccentric star take over the project.

Now, the point is, he was replaced. And one wonders how Nana managed to get a replacement director to Hyderabad in a matter of hours.

How much of this so-called spontaneous decision was actually preplanned and premeditated?

Welcome star daughters!

Industry folks do not take too kindly to their daughters wanting to join films.

There might have been a V Shantaram who launched his daughter Rajshree under his banner.

But then, there are also the Kapoors who, in spite of their fame, did not launch Karisma Kapoor. In fact, they did not even use their filmi clout to help her out in any way.

Or so we thought.

So now we have a proud papa going all out to launch his daughter.

The father in question is Prem Kishen, a has-been actor, who had a successful hit in Rajshri Productions' Dulhan Wohi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye.

Subsequently, he went on to build a successful career as a software producer with Cinevista Entertainment.

Son of the late Premnath and yesteryear actress Bina Rai announced, along with director Umesh Mehra, the launch vehicle of his daughter Aakanksha recently.

And you thought only star sons were privileged?

Of daughters and recalcitrant fathers

Now, Raj Babbar could take a page from Prem Kishen's book.

Not many, , including daughter Juhi Babbar, can comprehend why her acting career is not taking off.

But the reason for this lies closer home.

Apparently, Raj Babbar has not taken Juhi's decision to join films very sportingly. He was against it. But Juhi stood her ground.

Babbar relented and gave her the go ahead.

But an insider squealed that though papa Babbar makes a pretence of encouraging his daughter, he sends feelers to filmmakers that their decision to cast Juhi Babbar will not be taken too kindly by father dear.

So, rather than displease Babbar Sr, filmmakers stay away from the daughter.

Now, Juhi should know the reason behind why offers never make it to her doorstep!