Aishwarya Rai's business manager, Hari Singh, has approached Sushmita Sen for his production debut.

The film titled "Nakshatra" will also mark Singh's debut as a scriptwriter. It is based on the life of a bar dancer and will be directed by Los Angeles-based Indian filmmaker Saajid Warrier.

According to Singh, it was director Saajid who took the initiative to cast Sushmita in the film.

"I haven't met Sushmita so far but Saajid did have a meeting with her. I have been told that Sushmita has a busy date schedule but Saajid is determined to cast her in the film. He is convinced that only she can essay the role with the kind of talent and glamour that the role demands," he reveals.

So how has Aishwarya reacted to the decision?

"She's a thorough professional and is more like family to me. She is perfectly aware about the film and its script, like all the other scripts that I have been working on. However, we will have to wait and watch whether Sush can accommodate dates for the film. She's an extremely talented actress and there's no doubt that she will do a great justice to the role," he reveals.

As for Aishwarya, Singh confesses that he has already narrated another subject to her. "She quite liked the subject when I discussed it with her," he says.

"Nakshatra" is expected to go on the floors in early 2006 subject to Sushmita's availability of dates.