The fashion designer will co-produce Bhansali production directed by Prabhudeva and starring Akshay Kumar

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next project starring Akshay Kumar and Prabhudeva has Shabina Khan as co-producer.

It may appear as a strange combination but those in the know say that the B-Town designer considers the filmmaker as her friend, philosopher and guide. And as Bhansali is busy currently with his Ash- Hrithik starrer Guzaarish besides his other production My Friend Pinto, Shabina is more hands-on in her role of co-producer.

Dream takes shape
Says a source, "Apart from styling stars, Shabina had always evinced a keen desire to produce. As a first step, her buddy Ekta Kapoor had helped her get a hang of things. The Balaji head honcho had also helped her set up her own production house three years ago. Finally now her dream of turning a filmmaker is taking shape. "

The movie is an action flick with Bhansali only as producer. The maverick filmmaker was keen to have Prabhudeva as director. After seeing the south's dancing sensation wielding the directorial baton in Wanted, he thought action was a territory he was equally adept in.

New arena
Though the maker of movies like Sawaariya, Devdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam is known for his music-based plots, Bhansali is now keen to step into a new arena. He has selected the action genre but feels he is better off being a mere producer. He has left the direction to Prabhudeva who can 'choreograph'the action sequences.

Bhansali had sought a meeting with the dancing star and flew specially to Chennai to sign him. He feels this movie will also provide the south star an opportunity to showcase his abilities in doing action as well.

Interestingly it is also for the first time that the Khiladi will be working with SLB. Sources state that Bhansali was keen to cast Akki in one of his projects for a long time. And he met him for the first time only when he signed him. It helped that Shabina has been designing for Akshay for years, and they know each other well.

Bhansali's dream is to make the film a world-class actioner with a budget to match.

Queued
B-Town designers who have announced their decision to turn filmmakers but are yet to begin
Manish Malhotra: Has been planning to direct for the past four years
Vikram Phadnis: Was to direct the Stepmom remake, but gave it up when Karan Johar bought the rights and made We Are Family
Ashley Rebello: After styling Vidya Balan in ads, he announced that he would like to direct her in a film.

Star files
Stars Sanjay Leela Bhansali has worked with: Salman Khan (Hum Dil Chuke Sanam, Khamoshi)
Shah Rukh Khan (Devdas)
Amitabh Bachchan (Black)
Ajay Devgn (Hum Dil Chuke Sanam)
Aishwarya Rai (Guzaarish, Devdas, Hum Dil Chuke Sanam)
Hrithik Roshan (Guzaarish)
Rani Mukerji (Black)
Ranbir Kapoor (Saawariya)
Sonam Kapoor (Saawariya)
Madhuri Dixit (Devdas)
Manisha Koirala (Khamoshi)