Imran following Aamir’s footsteps

Imran khan is one lucky fellow. He has the most awaited dream debut to his credit with Aamir Khan's third production Jaane Tu...Ya jaane na after Lagaan and Taare Zameen Par , directed by Abbas Tyrewala. His uncle Aamir Khan is going head over heels to make his nephew's debut ‘The debut of the year’.

Both Mama - Bhanja have many things in common. Both of their first films i.e Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Jaane Tu... are young and fresh romantic films, where Aamir's second film was a film on sports, Imran’s second is an out and out thriller.

But one similarity between the two which very few people happen to know is that both of them started their career as assistant directors and both harboured dreams of becoming a director. Where Aamir assisted his uncle Nasir Hussain for 2 years before he did a screen test for his debut film, Imran too assisted various directors for some time before he gave a screen test for Jaane Tu....

Now after all Aamir finally made his directorial debut with Taare Zameen Par , we wonder when Imran will make his debut as a director.

Shahid pays tribute to Aamir with new movie

Shahid Kapur pays tribute to his favourite actor Aamir Khan by playing a teacher who helps a group of troubled young students in his new movie "Paathshaala".

The similarities between "Taare Zameen Par" and this film are striking.

Choreographer-turned-producer and Shahid's close friend Ahmed Khan doesn't deny the fact that "Taare Zameen Par" has made a huge difference to the way we look at movie entertainment and at the parent-child relationship.

"I would happily admit that 'Paathshaala' is inspired by 'Taare Zameen Par', except for the fact that 'Paathshala' was conceived and written a year ago. It's about a sensitive teacher's interaction with a group of kids," Ahmed told IANS.

"I've signed some really talented kids like Sweeney Khare from 'Cheeni Kum', Ali Haji from 'Fanaa' and Dwij Yadav from 'Nanhe Jaisalmer'. We're really fortunate to suddenly have so many talented kids in our cinema. So why not put them to creative use? It's about time we addressed issues regarding children in a serious but entertaining way," said Ahmed.

Interestingly, Ahmed has selected some of the most extraordinary child actors to come into the film industry in the last couple of years.

"And on top of that, let's not forget I was once a child actor myself," laughed Ahmed who played a child in "Mr India".

"Shahid too was a child actor. So we're all putting our minds into making a film about the mind of a child and the child within the man."

Ahmed has directed two films, "Lakeer" and "Fool N Final". However, "Paathshala" is being directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali's assistant Milind Ukey.

About "Fool N Final", Ahmed said: "Please don't blame me. Blame the producer. For the first time in 'Paathshaala', I'm doing a film straight from my heart."

The set representing the school where 'teacher' Shahid does an Aamir has been erected in Film City.

"We even have a basketball court as part of the school set," said Ahmed proudly.