/> This could be a first of its kind. Founder and owner of the acting school Actor Prepares Anupam Kher is all set to turn director again. And he has cast young Ruslan Mumtaz who recently made his debut in the teenybopper romance Mera Pehla Pyar Pyar.

After directing a heavyweight cast of Waheeda Rehman, Urmila Matondkar, Abhishek, Anil Kapoor and Fardeen in Om Jai Jagdish why is Anupam directing a a one-film old youngster?

Explains Anupam, "Because the industry needs at least three dozen new actors. There are just a handful of stars now ruling Bollywood. Most filmmakers cannot afford them. We sincerely need to cultivate new talent.

Whether it's Ruslaan, or Sammir Dattani or even my own son Sikandar, these boys have the talent and the will to excel. That's where our acting school comes in. We're trying to create a bank of talent for Bollywood. And if I don't use my own students why would other directors do the same?"

Elaborating on his plans Anupam says, "It would be a romantic film featuring Ruslaan Mumtaz. He's an ex-student from my acting school, and my proudest product so far. For my second attempt at direction I needed a face that was sensitive and vulnerable," reveals Anupam.

Anupam toyed with the idea of casting Ruslaan after the young actor's appearance in Mera Pehle Pehla Pyar got him encouraging reports.

"But the clincher for me was the boy's second film Tere Sang which Satish Kaushik is directing for our production company. Ruslaan's confidence level, his dancing and emoting were just right for the character I've in mind."

Anupam's untitled directorial venture goes on the floors in January-February. "All I can say right now is it's going to be a young film about young aspirations. And it will touch on contemporary issues."