/> Even as Shilpa expressed her delight at the enthusiasm generated in Great Britain by her next release Metro, news comes that she's the reason behind the film's delay.

Director Anurag Basu gives Shilpa a clean chit. "Shilpa had asked me before leaving for Big Brother, We tried to complete her work before her departure. But her dates couldn't be co-ordinated with the rest of the artistes.

Shilpa thought she'd be evicted from Big Brother by 20 January. She never dreamt she'd stay on till the end. She has nine days work left which we'll complete as soon as she returns."

Anurag is in fact over-joyed by the overseas buzz for Metro, "I don't have an overseas audience. It's because of Shilpa that they're now making inquiries about Metro from festivals across the world. The film has benefited greatly from her presence. We are all very proud of her. My co-producers UTV were taken into confidence about pushing Metro's release in April."

Regarding the delay of Mahesh Bhatt's son's launch film Suicide Bomber which Mr Bhatt has apparently been grumbling about, Anurag says, "The delay in Metro has caused a chain reaction. Suicide Bomber IS delayed. I can't shoot two films together.

But what difference do a couple of months make when there's such a larger issue? Shilpa has done all of us proud. Why create bad blood? I've told Shilpa I'm lucky for her. I'll now be polishing up the script for Suicide Bomber." Shilpa Clarifies: Shilpa Shetty had her first day off in London on Wedenesday. She could barely kep her eyes open. "It's been a time of tremendous euphoria and exhilaration. I can't believe all this is happening to me! I'm so proud to be representing India. But why am I being attacked back home? "

Explains Shilpa, "I've nine days work left. But that's not the reason why the film's release has been pushed forward. UTV As soon as I come back I'll complete it. They were anyway planning to release a month later. And incidentally the producer Ronnie Screwvala is coming here to London to meet me, They're vey happy for me.

Why are people making me out to be this ruinous element who doesn't care about home just because she has found new fame abroad? Rubbish!"

Mahesh Bhatt is quoted as saying that Shilpa "messed up" with the schedules. "But he's not connected with Metro in any way! Anyway, I'm really forward to coming back home. First thing I want to do is complete my work in Metro, It's going to be my first release after Big Brother and I'm very excited.

It's going to have a massive marketing here in the UK. I always felt Anurag's film had the potential to work in the international market. If my presence helps the film to achieve the international level where it deserves to go then I'm really happy.