Ever since Tusshar Kapoor stepped into the shoes of Akshaye Khanna in Raj Kumar Santoshi's next directorial venture Khakee (Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgan, Aishwarya Rai), rumours have been flying thick and fast that Balaji Telefilms was responsible for getting Tusshar included and that they will be lending a helping hand in funding the project.

Almost everyone is opining that Akshaye Khanna, who has done some very difficult roles in Border, Deewangee and Humraaz, and not to forget Dil Chahta Hai where he made the average youngster believe that it was natural to fall in love with an older woman, would have fitted the role to a T due to his intensity.

Tusshar, whose performance left a lot to be desired in Kya Dil Ne Kaha, Jeena Sirf Merre Liye and Kucch to Hai, will have a point to prove regarding how he essays the role.

War does not scare Parmeet

Since the past two weeks we have seen Parmeet Sethi with the latest hearthrob of Indian audiences, Mandira Bedi, in a new serial 'Force 1' on Sony TV. Produced by Manish Goswami, of Kittie Party fame, under the banner of 'Siddhant Cinevision', Force 1 is a thriller that deals with different stories of episonage and crime.

Parmeet, who played a negative character in Yash Raj Films Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge but made a forgettable appearance last year in Vashu Bhagnani's Om Jai Jagadish has replaced Parvin Dabas in the Israeli-American co-production - a slick English flick called Mondo Moderno (meaning 'Modern World' in Italian) to be directed by the famous Avi Nesher and distributed by Miramax Films.

Owing to the on-going US-Iraq war, Parvin did not want to go to Israel where the film is going to be shot. But Parmeet says, "War or no war, I am going to Israel."

Furthermore, Parmeet says, "It was fun working with Mandira in Force 1. This was my second experience of working with her. Remember her in DDLJ? She was very reserved in those days, but of late, she has become very bubbly. We have shot just four episodes of this serial. This will be trial-n-error kind of thing. If it clicks, we will shoot further. And while we shoot, we'll be told to re-run some of the past stuff. Often, channels function that way."

Sridevi to dance to Prabhudeva's tune?

It's not all hunky-dory on the Sridevi TV debut vehicle Hamari Bahu Malini Iyer front, produced by her husband Boney Kapoor for Sahara.

The channel is not happy with director Satish Kaushik's handling of the serial. A lot of displeasure has been expressed at the editing table. To prop up the product, Prabhudeva will choreograph Sridevi in a dance number for the title song. Kaushik confirms, "Prabhudeva has been appointed as a choreographer."

Sandhya Mridul's bags another movie

Sandhya Mridul (of TV serial Hubahu fame) who came out with flying colours in the Vivek Oberoi-Rani Mukherjee starrer Saathiya directed by Shaad Ali, will be soon seen in Shashankar Ghosh's Waisa Bhi Hota Hai. The film, presently in the post-production stage, stars Arshad Warsi, Prashant, Maria Goretti and Mahima Chaudhary. "It revolves around a copywriter who is sucked into the underworld," informs Ghosh. The music is scored by Vishal-Shekhar of Kaante's Chodna re fame.

Navneet Nishan shifting focus?

Navneet Nishan, who shot to fame with her pivotal role in the controversial tele-serial Tara has no TV assignments. Her recent portrayals Wah Tera Kya Kehna (last year) and Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai (this year) in Bollywood failed to leave an impression. Now she has only Dharmesh Darshan's next. Of late she surprised with an appearance in a Punjabi film Jee Aayu Nu with Harbhajan Maan. The film proved to be a hit, but is this going to be case of TV's loss?

Sakshi Tanwar's Bollywood splash

Sakshi Tanwar who plays Parvati in Kahanii Ghar Ghar Kii has shot for an off-beat Hindi flick Kaahin Door... (Miles to Go) directed by debutant Sandeep Varma. The film has a bold theme.

Sakshi adorns a 'dehati' look with only 'kajal' as her make-up. She plays the role of a woman who is married to a middle-aged widower cop who already has a daughter.

Varun Badola turns terrorist?

Varun Badola (of Des Mein Nikala Hoga Chand and Astitva - Ek Prem Kahani) has signed two Tigmanshu Dhulia's films-Haasil (Jimmy Shergill Hrishitaa Bhatt) and the next Charas (Jimmy Shergill, Namrata Shirodkar, Irfan Khan) in which he plays a nuclear physicist who metamorphoses into an Afghan terrorist.