EK CHHOTISI LOVE STORY

Producer: Paragon Pictures
Director: K. Shashilal Nair
Starring: Manisha Koirala and Aditya Seal

PREDICTED RATING: 8/10

Paragon Pictures' first Bollywood feature, Ek Chhoti Si Love Story has certainly become ek badi si media story. The movie has hit the headlines after its lead star, Manisha Koirala, became miffed with director Shashilal Nair over some distasteful nudity scenes that have apparently made it to the final cut.

The film introduces a talented newcomer, Aditya Seal. He portrays a challenging role as a lovesick teenager who falls in love with a woman twice his age (Manisha Koirala). The duo play neighbours in this extraordinary tale of unrequited love; with Manisha unaware of the boy's infatuation Aditya slowly becomes obsessed with a woman he can't have. Supporting cast includes Ranvir Shourie, of Channel V, who plays Manisha's boyfriend.

After a string of flops (Grahan and One Two Ka Four) K. Shashilal Nair entices us with something a little different, that too on a low budget. Manisha has reportedly done this role for next to nothing as a favour to her director-friend.

If not for the unusual love story, it seems the Manisha-Shashilal controversy has originated a lot of curiosity about a film that can quite easily and unjustly go unnoticed. Ek Chhoti Si Love Story releases in India first, on 6th September, and will later release worldwide. With it releasing alongside Dil Hai Tumhara, a more viable hit, here's hoping interest from the West remains when it graces the silver screens several weeks later.

SCHEDULED RELEASE DATE: September 16th 2002

PREVIEWED BY RUPA NANDHA