My most reliable test of judging a fantasy film is whether I notice the person sitting in the next seat - if I do, that means the film wasn’t gripping enough for me to be totally absorbed in it.

That’s what a fantasy film should do - transport you into its imaginary world and haul you back only when the end credits roll - for that matter, any film should do that.

Drona didn’t pass the test.

The Indian press has crowned her the Aishwarya Rai of Pakistan - after Bollywood’s most successful female star.

A household name in Pakistan after having acted in nearly 200 films, Reema is visiting the western Indian city of Bombay - home to India’s famously prolific film industry. At parties thrown in her honour by Indian film legends, Reema says she brings a message of peace from across the border.

“People in both countries want peace,and I bring this message with me to further better relations between the two countries.”

It is a hope echoed by those she has met in Bombay (Mumbai).

The Indian press has crowned her the Aishwarya Rai of Pakistan - after Bollywood’s most successful female star.

A household name in Pakistan after having acted in nearly 200 films, Reema is visiting the western Indian city of Bombay - home to India’s famously prolific film industry. At parties thrown in her honour by Indian film legends, Reema says she brings a message of peace from across the border.

“People in both countries want peace,and I bring this message with me to further better relations between the two countries.”

It is a hope echoed by those she has met in Bombay (Mumbai).

[ TIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

MUMBAI: Devdas, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Rs 50-crore magnum opus about the unrequited love of an alcoholic may not have won an Oscar nomination, but it swept the 48th Manikchand Filmfare awards 2002 ceremony on Friday night.

It won 11 awards, including best film, director (Sanjay Leela Bhansali), actor (Shah Rukh Khan), actress (Aishwarya Rai) and best actress in a supporting role (Madhuri Dixit).

“Everyone asked me why I put in so much money into the story of a loser, but it turned out to be a winner,” said Bhansali.