/> In a flash-decision talent-hound Ram Gopal Varma has opted for yet another newcomer to play the pivotal role of Jai in his version of Sholay.

Prashant Raj who has replaced Mohit has some experience in modeling. "But to me that's of no consequence," says Ramu. "I'd have signed him even if he had no experience of any sort. In fact if I had met him earlier I'd have cast Prashant instead of Viveik Oberoi in Company."

Ramu's powers of grandiloquence have bounced back soon after the unseemly fall-out with Mohit.

"See, I'm constantly on the look-out for newcomers who have that certain quality. I don't know what it is. I just recognize it when I see it in a new actor."

The search for a replacement Jai in Sholay had started some months ago when Ramu instinctively knew Mohit wasn't right for the role. "When I met Prashant, Mohit was already out of the project. Someone in my office wanted me to see Prashant's pictures.

I found his eyes to be extremely arresting. I wanted to meet the boy. The moment he walked into my office I could feel his electrifying energy and intensity. That was my Jai walking into my room. I remember when I cast for Company, I was sitting wondering what the character Chandu Nagre should look like.

At that moment Suresh Oberoi came in with Viveik's picture. I had found my Chandu. In Prashant's case I felt even more strongly that he was the only choice for Jai's role. His intensity is overpowering."

Ramu admits his Jai in his Sholay is going to be even more intense than the one Amitabh Bachchan played in Ramesh Sippy's Sholay.

"Today's times and the urbane setting of crime that I've established for my project needed far more intensity. Amitji's character in Sholay had his wry humour. Jai in my film is very different. His role demands him to be far more intense."

Ramu auditioned Prashant Raj by giving him scenes from the script. "He's a natural actor, not at all conscious of the camera. Ultimately acting is about discarding inhibitions and using your sensitivity and intelligence. Prashant is a naturally intelligent guy."

Ramu starts shooting with Ajay Devgan and Prashant with December 4. "Ajay saw Prashant's pics and was very pleased. My job is to spot someone and mould him to the best of my ability.

Beyond that I've no control over what they think of me. And in any case who knows who'll be a star? Did Rakesh or Hrithik Roshan know what would happen after Kaho Na...Pyar Hai.

The new Jai is exclusive to Varma's factory. As for the old Jai... "I strongly feel every human-being lives for himself. I really enjoy moulding a new actor and technician. If someone makes a choice in life, why should I grudge it?"

Manoj Bajpai, Viveik Oberoi, Randeep Hooda, Mohit Ahlawat, Antara Mali are some actors who have been groomed by Varma only to have them walk out on him.

"Maybe all my discoveries have unreasonable expectations from me...Or maybe I just attract these kinds of actors who believe in this way of conducting their lives. Without becoming anyone they start behaving as though they're God's chosen ones. I've a hand since I treat my actors as very special one."

Ramu now believes that he went wrong in making another film for his protégé after James failed. "If my career's first film Shiva was the best thing to happen to me, my new Shiva with Mohit was the worst thing to have happened to me.

After making it I realized James was a far superior film than Shiva. The director Rohit Jugraj at least had some sense in his storytelling. Everything about Shiva was wrong. I admit I made a wrong decision. James and Shiva were big mistakes in my career."

So is Mohit justified in thinking his career has been wronged by James and Shiva? Ramu disagrees. "You can't hold anyone responsible for what goes wrong in one's career...Hopefully Shiva is the last blunder of my career. With Nishabd I go into a new phase."

Ramu's epitaph for his association with Mohit Ahlawat. "I don't want to discuss him."