THE TITANS OF INDIAN CINEMA, RAJNIKANTH AND KAMAL HAASAN, CHATTING UP THEIR GOOD OLD DAYS

They are the titans of Indian cinema. They set the trend and others follow. While Rajnikanth is the virtual emperor of the masses, Kamal Haasan has carved a niche for himself as the actor's actor. When it comes to excellling in any role, no one can come anywhere near him. While Rajnikanth showed who the boss of Indian cinema was with the release of his latest film Sivaji, Kamal is set to prove to the Bolywood biggies who the best actor in India is with his portrayal of 10 roles in Dasavataram.

The two of them recently met at the 800-odd function of Chandramukhi. And the discoveries of K Balachander, who have done many a film together during their heydays, can't seem to be recalling their good old days.

ASIN IS FLYING HIGH IN BOLLYWOOD, GETS READY TO DO AN ENGLISH FILM TOO

Asin is one heroine who has done exceptionally well in Tollywood and moved on to other industries, not because she doesn't have the acting talent or the good looks, only because she has done too many films, and the audience expects beautiful belles to dance around with the aged heroes. So, she has been busy in Tamil and Malayalam. And doing some great films there too.

Now that she has prove her mettle down south, she is slowly inching her way into Bollywood and also paving her way to act in cross-cultural cinema. The kind that directors like Nagesh Kukunoor makes. She is acting in an English film, which will be based on a short story by renowned Malayalam writer, M T Vasudevan Nair. There are huge plans of roping in Kamal Haasan to do the lead role, and if that happens it would be the right shot in the arm for Asin. In case Kamal turns down the offer, Mohanlal may be taken to play the lead. Either way, it is going to be a great break for Asin. And not without reason. The film, we are told, may star some renowned Hollywood actors too. And if that happens, all the attention would be on this Mallu Kutty.

She is already hogging the limelight for her role in the Hindi remake of Ghazni, and she is acting with none other than Aamir Khan. What more, she is also being tipped as the heroine for the Hindi remake of Pokiri, starring Salman Khan in Mahesh Babu's role, and being directed by the boneless wonder Prabhu Deva.

Her next big film in Tamil is Dasavataram, the Kamal Haasan starrer, which is tipped to be the next best thing to happen to Tamil film industry after Sivaji: The Boss.

Good going Asin, may all your ventures yield you tonnes and tonnes of money and admiration.

ASIN TALKS BIG, AND CAN'T STOP TALKING: WILL SOMEONE TELL HER TO SHUT UP AND PUT UP?

Asin, who has wowed the South Indian audiences with her mesmerising beauty and her acting talent, has been consistent in one thing: teaming up with all the top actors. She has acted with almost all of them in Telugu -- Balakrishna, Venkatesh, Nagarjuna, Pawan Kalyan, Ravi Teja -- you name the star and she has done films with them. Without exception. Maybe Mahesh Babu looks a little too young besides her, which is why he hadn't opted her in his films, and it will take some time for Chiranjeevi to realise her potential.

Not just Tollywood, she is even a name to reckon with in Kollywood -- the Tamily film industry. And now she is pairing opposite Aamir Khan and she is on cloud 9. And she can't help boasting. "Everyone has been saying that after Hema Malini and Sri Devi, I will be as popular in the country." It's a little too much Asin, without even finishing your first film in Bollywood. We know you have the talent and the looks, but they make a good combination when it is tempered with modesty.

Why only Bollywood, she throws around names like Hollywood too. "Wherever I go, whether it is Bollywood or Hollywood, I will still remain Asin," says she. But who wanted you change, Asin?

She also claims that she is not apprehensive about anyone stealing her position in the Telugu film industry. What position does she enjoy in the Telugu film industry today? None. Because the likes of Ileana have pushed her out of the scene long time back. And, as far as we know, no Tollywood filmmaker is planning to cast her against the top heroes her.

It is not difficult to fathom her big airs. Right now, she is doing Dasavataram with Kamal Hassan, apart from Aamir Khan, which explains her haughty talk.

HEADLINES OF THE DAY

* It's official now: Chandrababu Naidu's son, Lokesh, to wed Balakrishna's daughter, Brahmani, on August 26
(Look below for detailed story)

* Kamal Hasan's Dasavataram in the last stages of shooting

* Second schedule of Yamagola currently underway at Ramoji Film Studios

* Rajendra Prasad's film in regular shooting