Avtaar

        Aks, oops, we mean ask Lucky Ali how lucky he is. After keeping the crowd on its toes with his music, Lucky has now been cast in Aditya Bhattarcharya's next film 'Avtar'.Unveiling his plans late last night, Aditya who is an internationally acclaimed Rome-based filmmaker, said `Avtar' will be made in association with `Media Dreams', a Chennai-based firm. Cast opposite Lucky Ali is American actress Sybil Temchen and Sophia Haque. 'Avtar' is Lucky's first foray into acting as a lead role. The film has been scripted by Aditya himself from 'Due Vite in Una', a story by Eva Maria Franchi. 

`Avtar' is mystery centered around an aspiring Asian singer who gets a break from the past. The film, like `East is East', is meant primarily for the Indian audience living abroad. Aditya Bhattacharya told reporters, ``Lucky and I have been childhood friends. Working together in this film is a dream come true. I hope this film will be appreciated by the audience worldwide." 

The singer turned hero, Lucky Ali, mingled with reporters at the press conference. Commenting on this venture, he said,``Working with Aditya has been great. My role in 'Avtar' is suited to my real profession of singing and is an extension of my personality and talent. I hope lovers of my music worldwide will encourage me to perform my best in the film."  The film will be made in the straight narrative form and is likely to cost U.S. $2.5 million. It will also be dubbed in other Indian languages in due course of time, said Aditya. The film is not a marketing package but a heart tremor kind of effect movie, he added. 

The announcement was followed by a live performance by Lucky Ali. `Avtar' is scheduled to be released internationally by the end of 2001. So all you Lucky Ali fans will have to wait till then to see your favourite in his new role.