Akshara Haasan, the younger daughter of actors Kamal Haasan and Sarika, started shooting for her Bollywood debut at Mehboob Studio in Mumbai on Monday. The light-eyed 22-year-old beauty is paired opposite Dhanush, Rajinikanth's son-in-law, who impressed with his Bollywood debut last year in Raanjhanaa. The as-yet-untitled film also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Balki's mascot hero who has worked in both his past projects, Cheeni Kum and Paa. While the presence of Balki's film-maker wife Gauri Shinde was expected on set, Karan Johar was a surprise visitor. Curious onlookers couldn't help wondering if K.Jo was there to get Akshara for his TV show Koffee With Karan, which reportedly isn't seeing a great response this season.
Akshara's debut as an actress has surprised many because she had always insisted she wanted to be a film-maker. She even assisted dad Kamal on Vishwaroopam and Rahul Dholakia on Society, starring Sarika, Om Puri, Dimple Kapadia and Seema Biswas. More of a tomboy than her glamorous elder sister Shruti, Akshara rejected Mani Ratnam's Tamil drama Kadal last year, apparently because she wasn't interested in acting.Balki's new film was recently confirmed by Big B on his blog. "Balki and I are getting together again for a film, which shall star Dhanush and Kamal Haasan's second daughter along with yours truly... that is all I can reveal now... story in keeping with Balki is also quite unique and different...(sic)" he wrote. Dhanush has acted opposite Kamal's elder daughter Shruti in the Tamil movie named 3, which tanked.
