There aren't many women oriented films that are made in Bollywood. And when there are any such select films being made, there is always a threat of a hero getting sidelined. Especially so when a film stars Aishwarya Rai in the leading role with Madhur Bhandarkar (who has a knack of making women oriented films) at the driver's seat. This is the reason why a few have wondered whether Arjun Rampal, the male lead protagonist, would indeed have something really substantial to offer in Heroine.

"Arjun has signed Heroine in good faith as Madhur has promised him that he would indeed have a pivotal part to play in Heroine. He has gone through the script and totally understands that he has very good contribution to make. He isn't someone who would walk into a film with eyes closed just because it is backed by big names", says a close associate of Arjun.

One does hope this is indeed the case. Though Arjun hasn't done too many heroine oriented films, in his last release We Are Family, he had powerhouse performers like Kajol and Kareena Kapoor for company and he still managed to come out unscathed. Also, early in his career, he has done women oriented films like Dil Ka Rishta (with Aishwarya Rai herself), Dil Hai Tumhaara (Preity Zinta) and Tehzeeb (Urmila Matondkar) due to which he is expected to know the drill.

However, there is a different line of argument that is questioning Arjun's decision to do Heroine. "He has been making a mark all by himself in films like Raajneeti, Housefull and Rock On where he has managed to stand up and deliver without any leading lady for company. Even in Ra.One he is playing the title role and that too as a super strong antagonist", comments a trade guru, "For Arjun to have signed a female oriented film like Heroine, there better be some good reasoning and thought."

Madhur Bhandarkar however rubbishes the speculations making the rounds and reaffirms that Arjun's presence in the film is equally important. "Arjun has been roped in after much consideration as he carries the kind of maturity and persona that was required to deliver the goods. By no means is his role any lesser. Yes, Heroine is the story about a female protagonist, an actress, but that doesn't mean that the character written for Arjun is peripheral. It is very much an integral part of the film. To speculate anything when not even a single frame of the film has been shot would be futile."

In that case we would wait to see the results for ourselves. Here is looking forward to Arjun really demonstrating an act or two of heroism in Heroine.

Soha Ali Khan and her mother Sharmila Tagore recently got a chance to interact with students at the prestigious Harvard University in USA. They spoke on 'Indian Cinema- Then and Now'.

After their lecture, the duo also participated in a Q-n-A round where they answered a few questions pertaining to changes in Indian cinema over the years.

Besides, few of Sharmila Tagore's classic films and Soha's films like Rang De Basanti andKhoya Khoya Chand were also screened at Harvard.