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Bollywood is beginning to identify a volcano of talent in Asin Thottumkal, a star of 17 titles made in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.
Industry icons are expecting the vivacious youngster to make waves in Bollywood with the latest London Dreams due for release in New Zealand and other worldwide centres on October 30.
But the actor remains cool over her prospects in the country's biggest entertainment industry.
"I have simple expectations and would like to live by the day. However, I am positive about the outcome of London Dreams. Bollywood certainly provides national and international exposure," she said, speaking to Indian Newslink from her shooting location in India last night.
Asin rose to popularity in Hindi cinema with Ghajini (2008), a remake of the Tamil hit of the same name (2005) in which she starred with Surya Shivakumar. The movie also went on to become a blockbuster, engaging the attention of director Vipul Shah who cast her with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan in London Dreams.
"Music forms the backdrop against which friendship is tested. This will also be a turning point for Asin in Bollywood," he said.
London Dreams will bring Salman and Ajay together after a ten-year gap.
"This is not an off-beat film but mainstream cinema. I enjoyed working with well-established artistes and a superb director," Asin said.
The film revolves around the lives of two childhood friends Arjun (Ajay Devgan) and Munnu (Salman Khan), each with a different objective in life.
While Arjun is passionate about music and dreams of becoming a stage performer, Munnu is content with being a child at heart.
Arjun pursues his dream at the risk of running away from an uncle who was his only family in an unfamiliar land and roaming the streets of London before taking shelter in a music shop and priming himself until he is ready to make his foray into the world of music and showmanship.
He forges a band with Zoheb and Wasim, two brothers who had duped their relatives in Pakistan to travel to London in pursuit of their musical aspirations, and Priya (Asin), a music enthusiast from a conservative South Indian family.
Music becomes a survival tool for Munnu, who takes to playing in wedding bands in his village in Punjab. He reaches London and Arjun realises to his chagrin that his best friend would become his worst threat.
Arjun's unbearable pangs of jealousy and insecurity reach the limit as Munnu succeeds as a performer and begins to woo Priya.
What happens in the end is a rude shock for all.
Asin said she was eager to accept roles that would highlight her talent as a dancer (she has learnt Bharata Natyam) and actor.
"I have been to New Zealand five times in the past, shooting for a few Telugu films and would like to visit again," she said and added, "I wish everyone in your beautiful country a Happy Diwali and a Happy and Prosperous New Year."
Studio 18, a part of Viacom 18 (a joint venture between Viacom and Network 18) is the worldwide distributor of London Dreams. Among its recent releases were Ghajini, Kidnap and Singh is Kinng.
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London Dreams will be screened in Sky City Cinemas from October 30 in Auckland (Queen Street, Manukau and Westgate) and Wellington (Queensgate, Lower Hutt).
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http://www.indiannewslink.co.nz/index.php/specialfeature/diwalispecial/3715.html
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