DJ BOLLYWOOD MASALA

By Hindustan Times

New Delhi, May 30 -- Buzz is that Czarina of TV soaps Ekta Kapoor has signed on filmmakers Vishal Bhardwaj, Sudhir Mishra, Rohit Shetty and Neeraj Pandey for at least one film each, under her banner, Alt Entertainment, and has major plans for her big screen ventures.

Shetty has been roped in to produce a comedy for Ekta, and her brother Tusshar Kapoor will reportedly play one of the leads in in the film.

Also in the pipeline is a movie, tentatively titled Driver, to be helmed by Sudhir Mishra, for which Chitarangada Singh has been confirmed as the leading lady. But the biggest coup seems to be a joint venture with Bhardwaj who, according to insiders, will have a free hand for casting and treatment, after Kapoor approves the subject. "It'll be a typical Vishal Bhardwaj movie," says our source.

Ekta, on her part, says, "These dealings take a while to be formalised. Once we're ready to announce any association with any or all of them, we'll let you know." Reportedly, though the promos of her next big pet project, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, have already started airing on TV and in cinema halls with other films, her company hasn't settled on a date to release the film. "We're still toying with two-three dates. We have recreated the Mumbai of the 1970's. I'm pleased with the art direction. We have just shot two more songs for the film because the music is kickass. We want a grand release for the film," she signs off.