"Himesh is the Laxmikant-Pyarelal of today" - Subhash

Subhash Ghai has recently sold the rights for his Karz to T-Series. But wasn't Karz inspired by The Reincarnation Of Peter Proud?

“Yes," Ghai admits. "But only in one scene where Peter meets his mother. The rest of the story and script was written afresh as per Indian myths and beliefs. You have to see Reincarnation Of Peter Proud to see how different it was from Karz."

Ask him if Himesh Reshammiya would do as much justice to the main lead as Rishi Kapoor and SG replies, "I'm no authority to judge the future work of any talent. Himesh may even prove better, who knows? I know Laxmikant-Pyarelal did a fabulous job in my Karz. But I'm sure Himesh will do a good job. Himesh is today's Laxmikant Pyarelal ...time brings new people too."

Subhash Ghai is working with Gulzar Saab for the first time in his new directorial venture Main Yuvraj. Why the change from Javed Akhtar Saab? Smiles Ghai, "It's the script that tells a director to choose the right talent and technicians to justify the mood of the film ... its nothing personal .You’ve to wait and watch what we do together. But it has to be unique. Every film of mine has its own rhythm and pattern. Khalnayak came after Saudagar, Pardes came after Khalnayak, Taal came after Pardes; so every film is a new child with a different face for a director and he enters into a new avenue, risk and challenges. That’s the thrill of a good director being on the scene."

But before Main Yuvraj featuring Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anil Kapoor, Subhash Ghai has a smaller directorial venture Black & White ready for release.

Ghai defends the 'smallness' of the venture. "Mukta has given Iqbal and Joggers Park too. They were smaller more intimate films. Yes, Black & White is being made under the Mukta Searchlight banner with minimum budget. It's an issue-based subject with a different approach. Whereas Main Yuvraaj is a full- on entertainer to release in 2008. Let’s see what Subhash Ghai brings to you. May be a surprise if not a shock. He is working hard as usual with a smile," Ghai ends in the third person in true royal showman fashion.

Anubhav Sinha signs Murino for Chase

Remember how Subhash Ghai had signed Madhuri Dixit for a dance number in Karma? When he saw the rushes he realized Dixit was too delectable to be in just a dance number. Ghai immediately signed Madhuri for the lead in Uttar Dakshin and Ram Lakhan.

Cut to Anubhav Sinha who was all set to get Bond bombshell Caterina Murino for an item song in Cash.

"I realized I was wasting her presence in one item number," confesses Anubhav. He has now signed Murino (who played the seductress Solange in Casino Royale) for the lead in his next film entitled Chase.

The slick action flick, which Anubhav describes as his last blast will be shot entirely in Italy. “Chase will feature three new Bollywood actors, certifiable star material, whom I'm grooming right now opposite Murino."

Anubhav's production associate Aditya Bhattcharya who has a second home in Italy (Aditya is married to an Italian) is supervising all the pre-production details of what Anubhav describes as the mother of actioners. "After Dus and now Cash I need to take the action genre further. Chase will be as far as it goes. Then I'm done with these slick flicks."