Ash, Salman, Chiranjeevi, Rahman and Jean Claude Van Damme for Hollywood caper

Return of the Thief of Baghdad, a $ 10 million sequel to Alexander Korda's 1940 Oscar winner The Thief of Baghdad will star Jean Claude Van Damme, Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan and Southern star Chiranjeevi.

The film will be directed by Slovakian born filmmaker and anthropologist, Douchan Gersi and its music director will be our very own A R Rahman.

Chiranjeevi is to don on the cape of Abu -- the thief, while Aishwarya is to be Princess Reshma.

Arjun's in... Abhishek's out

Arjun Rampal will replace Abhishek Bachchan in Abbas Mastan's forthcoming cinematic attraction that stars Bobby Deol too.

Bachchan Jr was compelled to opt out as he couldn't allot dates to the film.

And Arjun was more than pleased to step into Abhishek's shoes.

Fardeen free... to leave the country for shoot

Fardeen Khan, who was arrested on drug possession charges, was allowed by the special court to go to Australia for a 20-day film shoot.

The Narcotics Control Bureau was ordered to return Fardeen's passport, to allow him to work abroad. The court has directed Fardeen to return his passport after his return.

Periodical Comeback

Period films ever since the days of Mughul-e-Azam, have been successes at the BO.

And after the success of Lagaan, there are a lot more of them a-coming.

Shah Rukh Khan's ambitious Asoka -- The Great is nearing completion. Plus there are two Khajurahos and an Amrapali on the studio floors too.

Amitabh, Jackie, Nagarajuna and Raveena are busy with Agni Varsha.

Bachchan, has also been in talks for both the lavish Imax project on Mumtaz Mahal and Sanjay Khan's mega opus Maryada Purshottam.

Compiled by Vivek Fernandes
Design: Imran Shaikh