by Subhash K Jha

Anil Sharma who's working with the Deols— Dharmendra , Sunny and Bobby— for a family film Apne has also roped in an unusual member in his cast.

The amazingly talented Victor Bannerjee has joined the conventional cast of Apne to play one of his most prominent roles in Hindi commercial cinema.

The Bengali actor best known for his absolutely riveting performance in David Lean's A Passage To India and Satyajit Ray's Ghair Bhaire, will be seen as the Deols' family friend who cements the fissures in the family framework. It's a pivotal role for the seasoned actor who was last seen as Sanjay Suri's bigoted father in My Brother Nikhil.

"I still need that one big commercial film in Mumbai that will put me there on the Bollywood map," sighs Victor who's just returned from London after shooting for debutant director Neil Biswas' Karim's Story. "Karim's Story is based on the Bradford riots.

It's the story two brothers who got held for anti-social activities. I play their father. After My Brother Nikhil, this was yet another role where I play a harassed father. Neil who's written several successful plays, is very good at his work. He was a pleasure to work with."

From Neil Biswas to Anil Sharma is a long way off. But Victor is happy to make the leap

." At my age I'm looking at roles that would help expand my horizons. I don't think enough people have seen my work. I'm looking for that mass acceptance which would put a zing into my career," says Victor who's off-and-on made forays into Bollywood for Shyam Benegal's Kalyug, Lekh Tandon's Doosri Dulhan and Ram Gopal Varma's Bhoot.

He divides his time between Mussourrie and Kolkata. "But I'd love to make Mumbai my home too," Victor quips.