The press had reported extensively about Yash Raj films signing Dibakar Banerjee to direct films for the banner. Initially, it was said that he was roped in for a three-film deal, but some say that he has been hired to direct only one film. Since Banerjee’s said contract, there’s been loads of speculation about who will play leading man in the film. Averred a source from the production house that if all goes well, it would be Ranbir Kapoor who will star in the director’s film. It is said that the basic idea of the film has been sounded off to Ranbir and the actor has liked it.

In what could be regarded as a major breakthrough in the alliance between commercial and off-mainstream cinema, avant-garde filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee who has earlier made out-of-the-box films for prominent production houses like PVR (<em>Shanghai</em>) and Balaji Films (<em>Love Sex Aur Dokha</em>) has now moved into the super-league. Last week at a hush-hush meeting Dibakar finally shook hands with Yashraj’s team after weeks of negotiation. He would be directing his next film, a whodunit set in Kolkata, for Yashraj Films.

In what appears to be the very first instance of an Indian film journeying from commercial release to the film festivals. Dibakar Bannerjee’s <em>Shanghai</em> is all set to first proceed to the Toronto Film festival and then to other selected festivals after the film has had its full commercial run in Indian theatres. This, according to a very reliable source from within the project’s core crew was a decision taken by the producers.

Unfazed by the media glare he is getting for his role as Dr Ahmadi in Dibakar Banerjee’s Shanghai, Bengal superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee is not basking in glory. Instead, he is calm, composed and soft spoken. <em>Tellcyhakkar.com</em> entered in a freewheeling interview with the talented actor. Excerpts: <strong>Your role in Shanghai is being appreciated. How did you bag the role?</strong>