Shilpa Shetty may have a reason to smile, actually. Though it is a bit premature to make any categorical statement as such, early feelers say that she has been seen in a favourable light in Mahesh Manjrekar`s Hathyar which released on 18 Oct 2002.

Now most will claim that she hardly has a role of any significance in Hathyar. But by Ms Shetty `s standards, the crop has been good. Now, here`s what some reviews have said. One reviewer clearly states, "Shilpa Shetty registers a strong impact despite being a male-dominated enterprise. Her outburst when Sanju kills Sachin Khedekar proves that she`s a capable actress who can deliver the goods if given roles of substance." Did you say too much praise for a dimwit?

Another reviewer adds that while the action and gore goes over the top, Sanjay Dutt registers despite a flawed script. Adding further she says, "an impressive Shilpa Shetty reduced to a bit role". Growing as an actress, was it? Improvement, is a better word, we thought!