/> If you thought the global meltdown has put a stop to all fresh projects that were announced but didn't go on floors, you're mistaken. Sure, a few films have been put on hold, but not all projects have been aborted or put on the backburner.

Actor Aftab Shivdasani had serious plans of turning producer and he is giving shape to his dreams. "There's a lot happening on that front," Aftab says. His debut film as producer will be directed by Glen Baretto (of Glen-Ankush fame). A fairtytale, the film has been scripted by Ravinder Manga and Aftab jointly. "I'll announce my film shortly," he says.

On the acting front, Aftab has four films lined up for release in the first half of 2009. He begins the year with the rom-com ALOO CHAAT, followed by Indra Kumar's DADDY COOL, an out-and-out comedy. Sanjay Gupta/Suparn Verma's ACID FACTORY follows next; this one's a thriller. Then, of course, there's the biggie KAMBAKKTH ISHQ, with Akshay and Kareena and lots of Hollywood names in its cast.

Where was Aftab all this while? Why was he lying low? "I was concentrating on my career. Plus, the film production activities were taking a lot of time," he says. The year 2009 should be a turning point in Aftab's career, for sure!