By Jilawatan

Sushmita Sen will appear in an item number in Sajid Khan’s film, Housefull, dancing to the remixed version of the famous song ‘Apni Toh Jaise Taisi’.

Confirmation of Sushmita’s appearance in the song – first made famous by Amitabh Bachchan in the 1981 blockbuster Lawaaris – puts persistent rumours of Aishwarya Rai’s appearance in the Housefull item number to rest.

While Aishwarya Rai was indeed approached to appear in the song, sources say she has turned the offer down, allegedly due to the link the song has with her father-in-law. She is also currently busy with a filming schedule including Guzaarish, Action Replay and Endhiran. Had Aish agreed, it would have been only her third item number appearance, following ‘Ishq Kamina’ (with Shahrukh Khan in the film Shakti - The Power) and ‘Kajra Re’ (with Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan in the film Bunty Aur Babli).

By Jilawatan

Two of the most beautiful actresses are connected by an uncanny coincidence. The forthcoming films of both the stunners are based on the religious Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Mani Ratnam’s Raavan, starring Aishwarya Rai as Sita, is based on Ramayana. It has south star Vikram playing Ash’s hubby and Abhishek Bachchan playing the villain who kidnaps Ash and takes her into a forest. Govinda’s character, based on Lord Hanuman, is that of a forest guard who helps trace Ash.

Prakash Jha’s film Rajneeti, on the other hand, is based on Mahabharata. The film, a political thriller, borrows a great deal from the politics of Mahabharata. Ranbir Kapoor plays an Arjun-like character who, with the help of his mentor, takes on his rivals. Katrina too plays a politico in the movie that stars a host of actors including Ajay Devgan, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpai and Nana Patekar.