Why didn't Mahima Choudhary make it BIG?

It's a newcomer's fantasy. Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, Svengali to stars like Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff and Manisha Koirala, a showman whose name has become synonymous with success, picks you as heroine opposite superstar Shah Rukh Khan for his Rs 9 crore project.

He grooms and trains you to the extent that Shah Rukh begins to feel ignored. The film is a silver jubilee hit. You pick up nominations for three best newcomer awards and win two. You are also nominated for the Filmfare Best Actress Award, rubbing shoulders with actresses like Madhuri and Sridevi. And you become a star, signing films with the likes of Sanjay Dutt, Govinda and Anil Kapoor. Model-turned-actress Mahima Chaudhary lived the fantasy while it lasted. For now, it looks like the ending will be far from a fairy tale one.

On April 6, Ghai took Mahima to court over contractual violations. Before starting Pardes, Mahima entered into a contract with Ghai's Mukta Arts Company agreeing to do three more films in the coming five years and donate 35 per cent of her earnings from commercials, stage and TV shows to the Mukta Arts Welfare Trust.

It is a contract that Manisha and Madhuri have signed before her. Ghai alleges that Mahima did not honour the contract, agreeing to do shows without notifying him or giving the 35 per cent. The Mumbai High Court refused to prevent the actress from travelling abroad for a month long show in the UK, US and Canada. But the case for breach of contract stands. And Ghai is determined to fight it out.

Three months ago, the mentor and his protege seemed a mutual admiration society, even appearing together on Simi Garewal's Rendezvous, a show which usually interviews celebrity couples. On winning the Filmfare Best Newcomer Award, Mahima thanked Ghai profusely. Even as late as March 14, at the Zee Cine Awards, on winning Face of the Year, she thanked Mukta Arts and the Pardes unit, though perhaps a little less gushingly.

So what happened? Mahima says she doesn't quite know. According to elder sister Akansha, Mahima signed the contract on assurances that it was only to safeguard Pardes and would be abandoned after the film was completed. "Mahima was 19 and alone. I wasn't with her and neither were our parents. Mr Ghai didn't allow her to consult a lawyer. He simply asked her to trust him and sign. He has never taken any of his discoveries to court, so she trusted him and signed. But the contract was mutually abandoned. We did not even know he was angry till he published legal notices in the trade papers."

Not so, counters Ghai. "The contract was never abandoned. When we found out about the show, we tried to contact her. We made a hundred calls and sent six letters, but she didn't respond. She threw a letter at my peon's face. I took such a big risk casting her after the debacle of Trimurti. She humiliated me. How can a teacher tolerate such behaviour?" However, Akansha claims they received no calls or letters. "He wants her money, that's all."

Bitter lessons: The Ghai battle involves money and egos

But money perhaps is not the bone of contention. Earlier Manisha asked to be relieved of donating 35 per cent of her show and ad earnings and Ghai agreed. Madhuri too, after doing one Lux commercial for Mukta Arts, was never held to the clause.

Insiders believe Mahima holds a grouse against Ghai for offering the much coveted role in his latest project, Taal, to Aishwarya Rai. Ghai says he sent Mahima flowers and a letter explaining that the role didn't suit her but she took the rejection to heart. "I've never seen success go to somebody's head like this. It's really childish," says Ghai.

Meanwhile, Bollywood is watching with keen interest. Says a leading heroine, "The whole system is to blame. Big banners don't want to pay and when you are new and desperate, you'll agree to anything." But having agreed, can you recant? "Absolutely not," says Film Information Editor Komal Nahta. "The debate is not whether the contract is right or wrong. The fact is she signed it and now she has to abide by it."

Mahima has got a temporary reprieve but when she returns from abroad, Ghai and his lawyers will be waiting. The "teacher" may yet teach his "student" a new lesson.