Sushmita out, Bipasha in

Not long ago, producer Shabnam Kapoor had signed Sushmita Sen for her untitled film. But Sen apparently kept delaying her dates, claiming she had developed a back problem that required her to go abroad for treatment when she was actually shooting for Boney Kapoor's Bewafaa -- The Unfaithful and Mahesh Manjrekar's It Rained That Night.

With the help of Pahlaj Nihalani (who heads the Association of Motion Pictures and Television Programme Producers), Kapoor asked Sen to return the signing amount as well as pay him compensation.

This is Kapoor's second unhappy experience with a beauty queen. Aishwarya Rai gave her a lot of problems during the making of Radheshyam Sitaram (Suniel Shetty). The film is now complete.

Bipasha Basu has now stepped into Sen's shoes for Kapoor's film.

Sai Paranjpe is back

After a long hiatus, director-scriptwriter-theatre personality Sai Paranjpe (Sparsh, Katha, Chashme Buddoor, Saaz) will make a comeback with Chakachak.

The film includes a social message on parenting.

The producer and the cast will be announced shortly.

Now, the complete producer?

After corporates like the Tatas, Birlas, Pantaloon and the Goenkas entered film production and financing, Raymond -- yes, 'The Complete Man' -- flagship of the Vijaypat Singhania Group, is slated to produce Kuku Kohli's next film, Woh Hi Tera Naam.

Kohli plans to introduce four new faces in this film.

Somnath Sen's plans

Somnath Sen's film on a lonesome Indian woman's search for happiness in the US, Leela (Vinod Khanna, Dimple Kapadia, Amol Shetge), did not set the cash registers ringing. But he won a fair share of critical acclaim.

Sen is now working on three projects that will be produced by Lemon Tree Films, the production company he heads with wife Kavita Munjal.

The urban comedy The Professor And The Musician dwells on the confusion that unfolds when the mobile phones of the two protagonists are interchanged.

The script will be completed by the end of July and shooting will begin in November. Sen will soon be in Mumbai to scout for actors, locations and funds.

The second film revolves around a Sufi singer who loses his voice. Details of the third film, which will reportedly star Sushmita Sen, are yet to be disclosed.

Sandali makes a comeback

Sandali Sinha (Tum Bin) has signed a film opposite Sameer Dharamadhikari (Satta) to be directed by Dilip Shankar (Kaalchakra, Aatank Hi Aatank).

The as-yet-untitled film will be made under the Unicorn Entertainment banner.

Ayesha Jhulka weds

Ayesha Jhulka (Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Khiladi) tied the nuptial knot on June 17 with construction tycoon Sameer Vashi.

It was a small wedding, attended only by close family and friends. A reception was held the next day.

The actress, who does not have any films on hand, is now busy dabbling in theatre and Kathak recitals.