Want to act with Akshay Kumar? Here's how!

The director is casting for his next Akshay Kumar-starrer Patiala House. And you could have a role in it too!

Advani is looking for someone to play a 17-year-old Akshay Kumar in the film, and share screen space with Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia.

As expected, the response was overwhelming. For those of you who missed the chat and want to know how to be a part of the film, read on:

But first, become a fan of Patiala House!

Nikhil Advani says, Hi, this is Nikhil Advani. Guys! I'm ready to chat about my next film Patiala House.

soumyodeep asked, i want to act with akki
Nikhil Advani answers, All you need to do is log onto www.patialahousethefilm.com and enter the contest for the young Akshay Kumar.

SamXA asked, Hi Nikhil, This Sam from Bangalore. 17 years of age. I wish to be a part of Patiala House. I was a little intrigued to know if the height of the 17 year old needs to exactly match Akshay's height, which is 6'0. Is it ok, if one is lesser than 6'0, though resembling Akshay.....? Kindly lemme know. Sam
Nikhil Advani answers, Hi! Sam. You do not need to be exactly six feet. Near abouts would be fine!

Raj asked, Hi, are you'll filtering candidates for the 17 year olds' role based on their performance only Or something more than that?
Nikhil Advani answers, Raj, it would be best if you log onto www.patialhousethefilm.com and follow the instructions. You will need to film yourself enacting one of the scenes that have been posted on the site and then we will choose.

santan asked, hello

Rishi Kapoor, Hema Malini reunite after 21 years

Neil Nitin Mukesh was seen as a child actor in the 1988 film 'Vijay', which also featured Rishi Kapoor and Hema Malini. The trio is now set to come together after 21 long years for Ken Ghosh's new film.

"Now isn't that a once in a lifetime coincidence?" Ghosh exclaimed. "For me, getting Neil Nitin Mukesh, Rishi Kapoor and Hema Malini to star in the film was good enough and now this fact being highlighted has only proven to be the icing on the cake," the director told us.

In 'Vijay', each of the three actors had a rather strange screen appearance and they hardly shared screen space. While Neil played Hema Malini's little son, Rishi went on to play his grown up version. This made Hema Malini Rishi Kapoor's on-screen mom.

"Well, Rishi Kapoor and Hema Malini are pretty much paired opposite each other in my film. While they represent the older generation, Neil would play a contemporary character. And, yes, unlike 'Vijay' where the script didn't allow the three of them to share screen space together, there would be ample scenes between them here," Ghosh said.

As a child actor, Neil has played not just a young Rishi but also a young Govinda in 'Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni' in 1989.

On the other hand, Rishi and Hema Malini have worked together, the most notable being 'Ek Chaadar Maili Si' (1986).

But apart from Ken Ghosh' yet untitled movie, the two will also share screen space in Raj Kanwar's 'Sadiyaan'.

Coming back to Neil's film, apart from the three principal characters, the rest of the cast is yet to be finalised.

"We are looking at an ensemble casting so there could be quite a few names that you would hear soon," said Ghosh, who has earlier made movies like 'Ishq Vishk' and 'Fida'.

'Chance Pe Dance', Ghosh's forthcoming film starring Shahid Kapoor and Genelia D'Souza, is set to release in November, but there were many rumours regarding its title. So will there be any confusion over the movie's name this time around?

"Unlike 'Chance Pe Dance' where titles like 'Star', 'Yahoo' and many more were floating all around in the last one year, we have something locked pretty much in advance. We were very clear that this time around, we didn't want any ambiguity or speculation around what the film would be called. You will soon hear an announcement about it," the director said.

Ranbir teaming up with Imtiaz, hints Rishi Kapoor

Mumbai, Aug 20 If things move as per plan, Ranbir Kapoor may soon find himself working with ace filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, indicates the young actor's father Rishi Kapoor.
'I'm positive that in 2010, Imtiaz and Ranbir would be beginning a film together. They have been meeting on a regular basis and are just looking at finalising on something concrete before they make a formal announcement,' says Rishi Kapoor, who was seen in Ali's 'Love Aaj Kal'.
Prodded further on what the genre, subject, leading lady and production house will be, Rishi denies being in the know.
'I never get involved in the creative aspects of Ranbir's films. He takes all his decisions himself. All I know is that Ranbir working with Imtiaz would be a great decision since I have now witnessed Imtiaz's sensibilities on a first hand basis after working with him,' said the actor who was earlier seen in 'Delhi 6'.
Rishi got quite some appreciation for his portrayal as a Sikh in 'Love Aaj Kal'.
'While working on the film, I realised that this boy (Imtiaz) is so cultured, sensible and simple. There is a saying that one's character gets reflected in his work. It was there for everyone to see in 'Love Aaj Kal', which was so honest and sincere, just like Imtiaz,' Rishi said.
If the project materialises, Ranbir will be working with yet another accomplished filmmaker. He made his debut with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Saawariya' and later featured in Siddharth Anand's 'Bachna Ae Haseeno'.
Currently, he is working with Raj Kumar Santoshi in 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani', Prakash Jha in 'Rajneeti', Shimit Amin for the forthcoming 'Rocket Singh - Salesman Of The Year' and Ayan Mukerji in 'Wake Up Sid'.
When asked about it, Imtiaz said: 'Honestly speaking, nothing has been finalised yet. Yes, Ranbir and I have been meeting each other for quite some time and have been bouncing off story ideas. Still, we are yet to close on a story line.
'I have always placed my story before anything else. Whether it is 'Love Aaj Kal', 'Jab We Met' or 'Socha Na Tha', the story has always been of paramount importance.'
So is he or is he not signing Ranbir?
'I definitely want to work with him. However, I will announce my cast once the story is finalised. Making any comments before that would be immaterial and unwarranted,' he said.

When one actor isn't enough

Sometimes a character takes more than just one actor.

Sometimes Bollywood likes to stress the passage of time, which is when they get one actor to show a character's youth and another to play his future. With Saif Ali Khan all set to play Rishi Kapoor in Love Aaj Kal, here's a look at some memorable instances of two -- or more -- actors playing the same character.

Saif Ali Khan and Rishi Kapoor as Veer Singh in Love Aaj Kal

Saif Ali Khan plays the younger version of Rishi Kapoor in Imtiaz Ali's film, and this is probably the reason the Chhote Nawab has been looking so much like Kapoor's son Ranbir in the film's promos -- right down to wooing Ranbir's real-life squeeze Deepika -- but visually, it just seems like the actor's trying too hard to look young.

Saif, Rishi: No acting rating yet, but Saif gets a 2/5 for his Ranbir hangover