Contrary to alarmist reports in a section of the press, filmmakers haven't really become wary of meeting newcomers, particularly of the female sex, after the Madhur Bhandarkar-Preeti Jain saga.

"What nonsense!" retorts a filmmaker who has lately done a highly acclaimed adaptation of Shakespeare. "I'm not the least intimidated."

Stories about Ram Gopal Varma installing cameras in his office to record all encounters with newcomers are plainly exaggerated. "I always had cameras in my office," smiles Varma.

"One such incident cannot and must not spoil things for all those scores of aspirants who come to Mumbai every day," says Vishal Bhardwaj who's now filming a Ruskin Bond story with newcomers in the lead.

After battling allegations of rape, Bhandarkar has resumed shooting his suspended "Page 3". And no, there's no Jain, only a Sen (Konkona) in the cast.