Whoa, SRK to launch Zoa!

Morani daughter to debut in a youth flick backed by Khan

Shah Rukh Khan's shows are exclusively managed by the Morani brothers (Karim, Ali and Mohammed). This decade-long bonding now goes a step further.

Zoa, daughter of Karim Morani, will make her debut in a film to be produced by SRK'S Red Chillies banner. The youth-centric flick marks the directorial debut of anchor Roshan Abbas.

Says a source, "The project is under wraps and those associated with it are keeping mum till it rolls. But Zoa has been signed."

It is learnt that keeping in view the close relations the Moranis have with Shah Rukh, Karim has finally agreed to let his daughter step onto the big screen in SRK'S production.

The actor who is now recuperating at home post his surgery, is slated to hold discussions about the various aspects of the project soon.

Though the name of the Moranis are synonymous with organising extravagant stage shows, Zoa was keen to act. Apart from learning acting, she has also had hands-on experience in filmmaking.

She was one of the assistant directors to Farah Khan for Om Shanti Om and also did a teeny-weeny role in it Zoa featured in the audition scenes when the hunt is on for Shantipriya's (Deepika Padukone) lookalike.

This bit was because Farah wanted every unit hand to act in the film. Zoa also assisted Rajkumar Santoshi briefly during the making of Halla Bol.

Zoa studied at the Jamnabai Narsee School at Juhu and did her junior college from Mithibai. She is now pursuing a degree through correspondence.

As reported ('Roshan to direct for SRK'; Hitlist, December 16), the film is based on Abbas' play Graffiti which was staged in New Delhi in the '90s.

Though there are several films about college students, there are not too many that take on high school students and the mid-teens the film takes on these growing up years.

At that time, Shah Rukh had maintained that "the script looked fun and he would produce it."

Apart from Zoa, another Morani who has had a brush with acting is Mohammed's wife Nasreen, better known as Lucky. She featured in their musical City Of Dreams staged last year.