Actors generally rely on the support of filmgoers for their survival. But if there`s one person within the industry who can — and does — make a real difference to anybody`s career, it is Amitabh Bachchan. That is something newcomer Antara Mali would vouch for.

Despite a commendable performance in Ram Gopal Varma`s Company, Antara hasn`t exactly been flooded with offers. But the daughter of fashion photographer Jagdish Mali had better things in store for her. Apparently, after a private screening of the film Amitabh was so bowled over by her talent that immediately after the show he called her personally well past midnight to congratulate her. Boy, was Antara ecstatic? "I still can`t believe my luck," was all she could say.

But the spin off from the phone call has been much more — she has been penciled in for two major films in leading roles. The moral of the story: catch the Big B`s eye and your life is made.