How the Ghajini girl was cast opposite Salman & Aj

After making a smashing Bollywood debut opposite Aamir Khan in Ghajini, all eyes will be on the south-Indian superstar, Asin Thottumkal, in her second major release, London Dreams.

The winner of several Filmfare Awards moved to Mumbai to carve a career in the Hindi film industry after Ghajini became a historic hit and producers began queuing up to sign her.

Contrary to popular belief that Vipul Shah cast the 24-year old in his magnum opus after Ghajini, she was pencilled in as Ajay Devgan and Salman Khan's lady-love well before her maiden outing.

In London Dreams, she plays Priya, a young music enthusiast who joins Arjun's (Ajay Devgan) rock band in London.

Confirms Vipul, "I had seen Asin in a couple of big South films and really liked her work. I was looking for someone who could essay a beautiful Iyer girl, adept at both classical and western dance, and yet look like she's been born and bred in London.

I signed her even before the first promo of Ghajini came on television. Taking a newcomer opposite two big stars was a risk but I was confident of her and followed my instinct. When Ghajini clicked, I knew I had made the right decision."

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