Bipasha Basu in Omkara

Kumar Mangat, long-time Ajay Devgan associate and one of the busiest producers in showbiz today, won recognition as a leading producer after he bankrolled Vishal Bhardwaj’s critically-acclaimed Omkara. Mangat was also supposed to co-produce Vishal’s next film Julia (starring Ajay Devgan and Hollywood actress Franka Potente of Run Lola Run fame), but this time with UTV and Vishal himself. But now we hear he has exited from the project.

“Yes, that’s true,” says Vishal’s spokesperson Poonam. Why' “There is no particular reason. Kumarji is handling too many films and this new film requires a lot of attention.”

Poonam then went on to add: “Of course Vishalji understands. There is no problem about it. Initially, we were doing the film with UTV. Kumarji was keen on working with Vishalji again so we were trying to work things out but since Kumarji is already producing around eight films it didn’t happen...”

An insider tells us the real reason for beating a retreat could be the failure of Mangat-Bhardwaj’s No Smoking to set the box office on fire. “After the failure of No Smoking, Kumarji is shying away from doing any more experimental films.”

Lara goes global

Lara Dutta has been invited by Louis Vuitton to be a part of the exclusive previewing and launch of the Maharaja’s Book (a line of clothing) in Paris. Lara couldn’t have found a better time to launch her official website — http://laraduttaonline.com. Says Lara: “I’ve launched my personal web site to be in touch globally. It has all my latest news and picture. My fans can read and interact with me there. It’s a great medium for my audiences abroad as well.”