Mahesh Bhatt might be keen on roping in Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar but the Bollywood experience of cricketers from across the border has been far from favourable.

Mohsin Khan married Reena Roy and was introduced by J.P. Dutta in the big-budgeted "Batwara". Amidst a rabble of big Bollywood stars like Dharmendra and Vinod Khanna, Mohsin hardly got noticed.

Mahesh Bhatt, who has always preferred the unpredictable course in his cinema, also worked with Mohsin Khan in "Saathi", where he cast him as the good man opposite baddie Aditya Pancholi.

"Saathi" bombed - and so did Mohsin's starry dreams. He left Bollywood, and his wife Reena Roy.

Cricketers have never had an easy time in the movies anyway.

On this side of the border, Sandeep Patil, Salim Durrani and Salil Ankola tried to be movie stars and failed. The latest Indian cricketer to make a fool of himself on celluloid is Ajay Jadeja, who was booed out of Bollywood after Khel.

Going by cricketers' past record in Indian films, would Shoaib Akhtar actually take the plunge into Hindi movies?

My guess is he'll finally give in to pressure back home in Pakistan to focus only on his cricketing career.

Also, contrary to the image-building exercises between the countries, the Pakistanis aren't really keen on seeing their celebrities in Indian films. They feel it to be a sign of cultural hegemony from their stronger, more domineering brother.

Bhatt is optimistic. "We made him an offer. He has agreed to meet and talk about it. If our needs match we'll work."

But does Bollywood really need or want actors from across the border, as much they want to be here? Meera, who makes her debut in Bhatt's "Nazar", has garnered undue publicity for herself.

But will all the hoopla translate into roles for her in Mumbai?