/> Ok, so we all know how Bollywood is going through it's roughest patch in the current decade, with absolutely nothing happening in the tinsel world.

Picture this. Not just majority of actors (other than the A+ and A league) are sitting at home due to aborted projects, there are quite a few others who have been asked to 'stay at home' till a call comes with the announcement of their film's shoot being resumed.

Earlier, it had always seemed that actresses had some advantage at least because they could always maintain a good cash inflow, courtesy, their performances at events or ribbon cuttings, but even that has seen a major reduction in values.

Says an actress (on condition of anonymity) who has played a lead role in four films during last four years, but is virtually sitting unemployed at home today, "I was signing projects quite carefully and always believed in doing just one film at a time.

However, even though I had signed two films for which I had to begin shooting, there is no word from the producers. Also, performances at events too have gone down as the corporate world too is spending money quite carefully."

Another hunky actor who has shown promise over the years, is waiting endlessly for the shooting of his under-production film (which is almost 70% complete) to resume, too rues the fact that Bollywood is going through its worst phase.

"I had assigned my dates to this project, and, in the process, lost out on some other plum projects. Fair enough... because it was an ethical decision to make. However, now after having lost those projects, my current project too is now showing any signs of revival.

I come from a strong financial background, so it is still okay for me to wait for work. I can't imagine the plight of those who come from far-far away to make a fortune in this city."

With the stand off between producers and multiplexes showing no signs of respite, and, with IPL already showing signs of being a brutal enough force to gobble down anything and everything that comes in it's way, it is going to be a zero affair in cinemas this summer.

Add to that a dozen odd biggies biting the dust since middle of 2008 (with recession being attributed as the major reason behind these failures) and within less than a year, smiles have more or less vanished in Bollywood.