by Subhash K Jha

You'd think a film starring Rahul Bose and Ayesha Dharker would be the stuff cross-over cinema is made of.

But hold on They'll both be seen sweeping the roads of Mumbai clean in Sanjay Jha's third directorial undertaking Mumbai Chakachak.

"You'd be surprised to see how well Rahul and Ayesha, both known for their cosmopolitan personalities, have adapted themselves to their earthy roles.

They look like they were born with the broom," laughs director Sanjay Jha. "We did an intense workshop. And then the actors are so efficient. Rahul and Ayesha look completely convincing as the Marathi manoos and the Bihari girl.

In fact Rahul plays a Dalit, and carries off the role without looking like a crossover king."

Mumbai Chakachak is being made with the active support and participation of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. "We audtioned around 250 workers from the BMC's cultural wing and chose quite a few.

In the film when all the people that you see sweeping the roads with Rahul and Ayesha are Municipal workers. We've tried to make the film as authentic as possible.

Also, with the theme of a relationship between a Marathi man and a Bihari girl, you can imagine how topical Mumbai Chakachak has become."

Jha has earlier directed two films. "Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye for producer Mahesh Manjrekar was a good experience. But Strings turned out to be a nightmare.

It got embroiled in controversies over the sadhus and sants. It's still trapped in an IPL in Allahabad.

This time for Mumbai Chakachak I'm so happy to get a producer like Suniel Shetty and Popcorn Entertainment. I know they'll make sure the film gets the release it deserves."