by Subhash K Jha

Eleventh-hour title changes seems to be the demand of the times. After the re-christening of Vidhu Vinod Chopra's film from Yagna to Eklayva , it's now Vikram Bhatt's much talked-about Aakhir which has got a new title.

Explains Vikram, "We had no choice but to change our film's title. You see, Aakhir was a title that suited my script to perfection. Initially we couldn't get the title. So we added three dots to Aakhir... and we were on. But now my previous producer doesn't want to part with that title. So we've no choice but to call our film Ankahee. That title too works like a charm for my film."

Ankahee was the title of Amol Palekar's first directorial venture in Hindi with Deepti Naval in the lead. "My Ankahee has no relation to that Ankahee...Or for that matter any film on the theme of an extra-marital affair that we've seen so far."

Title wars are nothing new to Hindi films. Years ago Amitabh Bachchan was very keen to give the title Sach to what was finally called Main Azad Hoon. But Sach belonged to filmmaker Vinod Pande and he refused to part with it.

More recently a director came forward claiming rights to Kabhi Alivdaa Na Kehna, the title of Karan Johar's under-production film.

Says Vikram, "The right title is very essential. Sometimes the wrong title simply kills a film. Most of my films have one-worded titles Ghulam, Elaan, Aetbaar, Raaz...But my biggest comedy hit was called Awaara Paagal Deewana. And now I've completed a follow-up Deewane Huey Pagal. The title should feel right."

The film is rumoured to be based on Bhatt and Sushmita Sen's real life story. While Amisha essays the role of his wife in the film, Esha Deol plays Sushmita and Aftab Shivdasani is Bhatt.