However, news has it that Sanjay Leela Bhansali , who is now an active producer, will join hands with Madhur Bhandarkar for a film. Everything else on the project is hush-hush because Madhur is busy with Heroine .

Reluctant to give away too much, Madhur said, "I've met Sanjay just a few days ago and we did talk about doing a film together. I've not zeroed in on the subject.

Nor can I comment on whether it will be a joint-production or whether he will just employ my services as a director. The modalities are still being worked out.

" Madhur adds, "However I must say I deeply admire Sanjay as a filmmaker and he likes my cinema. I'm flattered that he has asked me to make a film for his banner (less)

With controversies surrounding his personal and professional life finally settling down, it seems that Madhur is on a holy trip to thank the Almighty. Prior to his Golden Temple visit, the filmmaker was spotted at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah , when the Supreme Court cancelled all criminal proceedings against him in connection with the Preeti Jain rape case.

Madhur, who is known for his staunch spiritual and religious beliefs said, "Life has been going great and I feel lucky and blessed. I don't need a particular reason to visit religious places.

Whenever I get time I just go there. Apart from Ajmer Sharif, I even go to Mata Vaishno Devi and Pashupatinath Temple to pay my respects.

" (less)

There is a clash of ideology on where and how to unveil the promo. A source reveals, "Madhur has cut a very hard-hitting teaser that shows Kareena smoking and drinking.

The producers have reservations about such a dark promo and have asked Madhur to re-shoot it. The producers feel that the Censors won't release it without cuts.

The director has his own vision of the first trailer and has agreed to delay the promo because he wants to include some more scenes in the promo that he still has to shoot." Shikha Kapur, Executive Director - Marketing, for the studio confirms, "There were some shots in the teaser that showed the protagonist smoking and drinking, which we felt we should not include in the final cut as we wanted the teaser to cut across to as many people as possible.

Hence it was a mutual decision to exclude the said shots. Madhur is also keen to include some really powerful shots in the teaser.

These shots are there in the upcoming Heroine schedule and we are all really excited to the see the final outcome." Bhandarkar who plans to re-shoot the promo says, "We want our teaser to reach as many people as possible and I now realise this.

I will be including some very powerful shots in the new teaser. These shots will come in the next schedule of the film only.

But it will be worth the wait." (less)

When contacted, Madhur Bhadrakar said rather philosophically: "My faith in Indian Constitution and judiciary remains steadfast. And I strongly feel that truth will finally prevail!" (less)

Earlier a lower court had asked Bhandarkar to face trial in the case. Reacting to the apex court order, Bhandarkar expressed happiness and relief.

He said he was delighted and speechless. Eight years of my life has been ruined due to this case, he said reacting to the verdict.

Preeti Jain, meanwhile, said after the court order that she will continue with her fight for justice. In July 2004, Preeti had lodged a complaint with the Versova Police against Madhur alleging he had raped her 16 times between 1999 and 2004 under the pretext of casting her as actress in his films.

Madhur insists the complaint was of "cheating" and did not mention rape. In a statement issued then, Preeti had said, "We had sex 16 times and Madhur made promises of giving me a lead role in his films.

However, he didn`t offer me a lead role in any of his movies. At times when I refused, he raped me.

" Drama unfolded when Preeti was arrested in 2005 for hiring a contract killer to murder Bhadarkar. In January 2006, police requested the court to dismiss the case against Bhandarkar as they had found Preeti`s allegations to be false (less)

C. Chavan today (Thursday) refused to stay the trial against Bhandarkar, stating that he will now have to face criminal trial,” Jain`s lawyer S.

Kunjuraman told IANS. “Bhandarkar has tried his level best to buy time by approaching various courts and filing several pleas.

But now he has exhausted all his tricks and will have to face trial,” he added. In July 2004, Jain had lodged a complaint alleging that Bhandarkar had raped her several times between 1999 and 2004 under the pretext of marrying her and casting her as actress in his movies.

A Mumbai metropolitan court had, in September last year, found substance in Jain`s complaint, and issued process against Bhandarkar, directing him to face the trial. However, the magistrate`s court had, in November last year granted anticipatory bail to the Bollywood filmmaker in the case.

IANS Posted in (less)