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Jackie Shroff to float theme restaurant

Inspired by his Hollywood counterparts like Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone, Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff is thinking of floating a chain of theme restaurants in India.

''It has been a pet project with me. I had been toying with the idea for some time now,'' said Jackie.

The actor has not fixed any time frame for the same.

Jackie, who presently holds a small stake in Sony Entertainment Television India Private Limited, said he had initially planned to float the restaurant a few years back.

''It was planned as a partnership with fellow stars Salman Khan and Gulshan Grover. However, the idea bombed and we decided to shelve the project. But now, I am working on the idea again.''

Talking about his other ventures, the actor said, ''I have floated Jackie Shroff Entertainment Limited, and my first home production under this banner -- Grahan -- would hit the screen after the World Cup.''

A few other Bollywood stars -- Salman Khan, Govinda, Karisma Kapoor and Mahima Chaudhary -- have already floated a theme restaurant, 'Planet Bollywood'.

Mithun Chakravarty had recently announced that he is planning a foray into the civil aviation sector through his Monarch Group, which presently has interests in the hospitality sector. Besides, the group would also expand its hospitality business, both on its own and through the franchise route.

The aviation venture would take off under the banner of Monarch Airlines and would have two -- feeder service and helicopter -- divisions.

Mithun had stated that the group intends to lease aircraft and choppers. He had envisaged a project cost of around Rs 300 million.

UNI

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