There's a little storm brewing in the Ek Rishtaa cup.

We think producer-director Suneel Darshan has ruffled one too many feathers -- just when his ambitious movie was all set to fly on the marquee.

Senior artiste Raakhee is upset with with Suneel for ignoring her in the publicity of the film. Apparently, she refused to dub for the film until she was assured that her name would feature prominently in the credits.

And then there's Juhi Chawla, who, too, is said to be miffed by the fact that her name features after her co-artiste Karisma Kapoor, who she holds is junior to her in the industry rolls.

Trouble is, Karisma is the heroine of Suneel’s next project as well. So, if you were he, what would you do -- appease the actress of a film already in the cans, or keep the one you're going to be working with tomorrow happy?

What say?

Treading carefully…

All those who think Atul Agnihotri -- who turns director with Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha -- is nervous, think again.

Atul's ambitious venture stars -- who else? -- brother-in-law Salman Khan and his amour, Aishwarya Rai.

And the fledgling director believes that Salman is totally committed to the film. He also believes that should Salman and Ash break up, they are still professional enough to ensure that the work does not get affected. And what's more, Atul claims to have talked all this out with his leading stars.

What can we say -- except more power to you, Atul, here's hoping you look before you leap?

Jackie: the director's actor

One man quite content not being a hero is Jackie Shroff.

When not occupied playing daddy to younguns like Kareena Kapoor (Yaadein), he is busy doing character roles in films like Sanjay Leela Bhansali 's Devdas.

He has also been flooded by negative roles. The most prominent one being Rajkumar Santoshi's Lajja.

If all goes well, Jackie will also be essaying the role of Ravana in Sanjay Khan's epic Marayada Purshottam.

"I am a director's actor, not one of those thinking ones. I do the job the director asks me to. If he is convinced I fit into a character he has in mind, I do it," explains Jackie.

Family to the fore for Tusshar

You would have expected Jeetendra to launch his son Tusshar Kapoor under his own banner.

But then, you know how the film industry people are, don't you? Unpredictable to the core, the lot.

So Jeetendra let producer Vashu Bhagnani and director Satish Kaushik do the needful.

Now, Tusshar's debut film Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai is complete and ready to hit the marquee.

Enter the family. Sister Ektaa has now decided to produce a film for her brother.

Is this because the khandaan is not confident about Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai and want to ensure that their own production will be safe?

Tears over guns for Firoz

Family dramas are in vogue these days.

Which probably accounts for producer Firoz Nadiadwala making a film called Kutumbh.

It might not be news to an ordinary onlooker. But look at it this way. We're talking about a producer who has always preferred gunshots and bullets over content .

And that is why this sudden switchover in priorities makes us sit up and take note.

What's more, he has roped in none other than Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role.

Apparently, the Big B is charged up about it.

News, what?

Chasing stars and other astronomical tales

There are still a few filmmakers in the industry who are not obsessed with casting 'stars' in their films.

Take director Ramgopal Varma.

Ask him to make a star-studded film and he'll run a mile. He'd rather cast newcomers and make the film the way he wants to rather than waste time chasing stars.

And then there are those like Mahesh Manjrekar who say the same, but end up wooing stars anyway.

Manjrekar was to make a film with newcomers Tarun and Hrishita.

He still is making a film with them -- only, he's gone and added Sanjay Dutt, Sunil Shetty and Mahima Chaudhry to the starcast.

Did someone say he was making a film with newcomers?