Neetu fills in for Lara Dutta and Tusshar Kapoor

This one is clearly unprecedented. Though it is a common practice to see actors filling in for others when a remake is being made, seldom has it been observed that a single actor doubles up for two actors.

For the Telugu remake of a successful Hindi film, a leading lady has filled in as a package deal for a second lead hero as well as the item girl.

The girl who has done this is Neetu Chandra who would now be playing the role of Tusshar Kapoor as well as Lara Dutta in the Telugu remake of Raj Kumar Santoshi directed KHAKEE. The film is called SATYAMEVA JAYATE and is directed by Jeevita Rajasekhar.

Confirms Neetu Chandra, "I loved KHAKEE and there was no way I would have missed an opportunity to be a part of the story, even though it was made in Telugu. In any case this is not the first time that I am working in a project down South. I have earlier also acted in GODAVARI."

Talking about her presence in the film, Neetu reveals, "I play the role of a subordinate cop which was enacted by Tusshar Kapoor in the original. The character was so well written that it was noticed in spite of Akshay Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgan in the film. Icing on the cake was to jig to the dance number that is based on 'Aisa Jadoo Daala Re'."

'Aisa Jadoo Daala Re'? Wasn't it a standalone item number choreographed on Lara Dutta in KHAKEE? Winks Neetu, "That's the beauty of the script. The number has been amalgamated well into the role of the cop I play and the dance sequence is justified too. Composer Chinna has come up with an excellent tune which stands up for 'Aisa Jadoo Daala Re'."

The film also stars Sheril Pinty and Sanjana as the leading ladies other than Neetu Chandra. "I am happy with the part I play as it is that of a lead role. I picked it up because it had lots of action. In fact you won't believe the kind of stunts I have performed for the film", says Neetu who is not new to action and is a taekwondo black belt who has earlier represented India.

The film sees Milind Soman stepping in as a main villain with Atul Kulkarni being repeated from the original cast of KHAKEE. Apart from SATYAMEVA JAYATE, Neetu Chandra would be seen in films like OYE LUCKY LUCKY OYE, FLAT NO. 13B and KUSARPRASAD KA BHOOT in the coming months.

--SAMPURN