The newspaper page that everybody loves to hate but is constantly scrambling to be seen on is back in news - this time as the title of Madhur Bhandarkar's latest film.

The happenings in the lives of the rich and the famous are captured through the eyes of a journalist in Bhandarkar's "Page 3", which is all set to release Jan 14, 2005.

Starring National Award winning actress Konkana Sen Sharma, "Page 3" also boasts of an eclectic cast comprising Atul Kulkarni, Bikram Saluja, Tara Sharma, Sandhya Mridul and Boman Irani.

"Page 3" is a realistic film that exposes the underbelly of the film and glamour world.

Konkana plays Madhvi Sharma, a journalist in Nation Today and is put on the beat of covering celebrity parties and launches. How she is disillusioned by the nature of her work forms the crux of the story. Atul Kulkarni plays a crime reporter who finds entertainment journalism rather demeaning.

Bhandarkar says the audience would find the film's realistic values appealing.

"I am sure people will relate to the film a lot as they will with the brilliant performances of the actors," says Bhandarkar.

"There are about 45 artistes in the film playing various roles like politicians, film stars, business tycoons and socialites. Apart from that, the lead actors Konkana, Tara Sharma (who plays a struggling Bollywood actress - a hopeless romantic) and Sandhya Mridul (who plays a no-nonsense air stewardess whose only ambition in life is to marry a rich man), Atul Kulkarni, Boman Irani, Bikram Saluja and Rehan Engineer have also done well.

"Boman Irani essays a powerful role as the editor of the publication for which Konkona works whereas Bikram Saluja plays a Bollywood superstar and Tara's love interest. I have a brilliant star cast," says Bhandarkar.

Others featuring in "Page 3" include Anju Mahendru, Suchitra Pillai, Kunika, Navni Parihar, Dolly Thakore, Madan Jain, Kishen Mulchandani, Jai Kalra and Nisha Jhamval.

The film explores the power play between the air-kissing, champagne-swigging, caviar-chomping set and the media. Konkana mingles with the elite by night and then takes the last train to her rented apartment to write the headlines for tomorrow's news.

Konkona shares the apartment with two other flatmates: Tara Sharma and Sandya Mridul.

Jai Kalra plays a model and Konkona's love interest. Rehaan Engineer plays a gay make-up artist and best friend to Konkona.