Pooja Bhatt declines 'Bigg Boss 5' offer

Bollywood actress-turned-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt says she was offered a place in the fifth season of sensational reality show "Bigg Boss" but she turned it down for its very concept.

"Was just offered the next BIGG BOSS. Living in a communal fish bowl out of choice is not quite my scene (sic)," Pooja posted on her Twitter page Friday.

It is possible that Pooja took the decision following her brother Rahul's stint on the show last year.

Rahul, who came into the spotlight for his acquaintance with Pakistani-American terror convict David Coleman Headley, charged with scouting targets for the 26/11 Mumbai mayhem, raised quite a few eyebrows with his entry on the show. But he maintained a quiet demeanour, and mostly kept to himself. He was voted out in the fifth week of the show.

Pooja, daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, made her Bollywood debut in 1991 with "Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin", after which she featured in many films including "Sadak", "Sir", "Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee", "Chaahat" and "Zakhm".

She made her directorial debut with "Paap" in 2004, and continued remaining behind the camera for films like "Holiday", "Dhokha" and "Kajraare".

"Bigg Boss", aired on Colors, is the Indian version of international reality show "Big Brother" where select few celebrities are locked up inside an isolated house, without any connection with the outside world. Their activities are captured by cameras 24X7.

Pooja Bhatt comes out to encourage old pal

She is not seen regularly, but actor-producer Pooja Bhatt made an exception for journalist friend S. Ramachandran and attended the launch function of his first production venture.

Titled "Imaandaari Ki Maa Ki Aankh", the film is about a SRA Scam (Slum Rehabilitation Authority Scam).

"The title of the film itself is so appealing that one automatically gets curious to know what the film will be about. I certainly wish the entire team of the film and hope they make a good movie," Pooja said.

Pooja and Ramachandran go a long way -- she knows him since her Bollywood debut with "Daddy".

To be co-produced by Irshad Khan of Black Stone Production, the film will directed by Rashid S. Khan. With the film Mudasir Ali will make his debut in Hindi films as the music director.

Omkar Nath Manikpuri, known as Natha of "Peepli Live", Hiten Tejwani, Rajesh Vivek, Roopa Ganguly and others form the cast of the movie.