by Subhash K Jha

As she grows, Hema glows. And what more proof do we need of this than to see the lovely lady swinging from one level of success to another.

Hema has innumerable commitments on the anvil including of course Ravi Chopra's Babul which she's shooting with Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee and Salman Khan.

"It's the Baghban team again. And though I don't have that much to do I didn't want to break the successful team....But the recent reports that I'm doing a Kannada version of Baghban were baseless. Yes I was approached. Where am I going to do regional films when I'm hardly doing any in Hindi?"

It's daughter Esha's career that excites Hema the most. The lady who directed Shah Rukh Khan in his first film (Dil Ashna Hai) is all set to return to direction with a film which would star Esha and Rekha.

"It's a film based on a cultural conflict with classical music in the background. It's a very different story about the relationship that grows between two women from different generations."

Hema has already spoken to Rekha. "She's very excited particularly because she has lots of classical singing to enact in the film. Rekha and I go back a long way. She's my good friend. It'll be challenging to direct her. I feel this film will give her a role that does justice to her presence."

But why not Hema herself instead of Rekha? "Two reasons," says the lady quickly with characteristic clarity.

"I can't direct and act at the same time. Secondly audiences will feel cheated since it isn't a mother-daugher film. I want Abhishek Bachchan to play the lead opposite Esha. It's the role of a modern boy with a classical temperament. I can't think of anyone but Abhishek who'll suit the role."

In fact at year-end Hema and Esha will play mother and daughter in a film. Details are still to be worked out. "But right now I'm quite charged about directing again specially since the film will star my own daughter. It's been a long time since I directed a film."

The Rekha-Esha starrer written by Vandana Mukhopadhyay, goes on the floors in the next four months.

So does Ram Gopal Varma Ka Sholay. Who according Hema should play Basanti, the role she patented in Ramesh Sippy's Sholay?

"None but Esha," comes the prompt reply. "I can't think of anyone else."