THE KING OF BOLLYWOOD Directed by: Piyush Jha Starring: Om Puri, Sophie Dhal, Boman Irani (12A) 1 hour 40 mins UK Release 24 September 2004

This is the story of young 51-year-old Karan Kumar (best known as KK), who in his heyday was the top star in Bollywood, the eponymous The King of Bollywood, a title that has stuck with him and has led to him having grandiose notions about himself to-date. But the cruel fact is that KK is now nothing more than a shadow of his former self. He is a faded yet likeable hammy actor way past his "sell-by" date.

Enter Crystal Chaurasia, 24, a young NRI documentary filmmaker of a somewhat Indian origin. As a child, Crystal's favourite Bollywood Hero used to be KK (her grandmother used to show her videos of KK's films as sleep-inducers at bedtime) and she comes to Mumbai from UK to make a documentary backed by The International Film Commission on the life and times of KK.

KK realizes that he is past his prime and fueled by the urging of his "Secretary" Ratnesh Goyal, he tries to convince his son Rahul, 25, to be launched as a hero in order to carry on his legacy as a star. But, Rahul is absolutely averse to Bollywood and will have nothing to do with it.

Having reached a dead end, KK decides to re-launch himself with a film he will direct and star in as a hero. His movie fails at the box office but he does not accept defeat. Since he did not get "Rewards" from the audience, he now wants "Awards" from film award bodies.

Meanwhile, Crystal who has been immersed in shooting the documentary on KK's incredible journey and has slowly let Bollywood grow on her, develops a tender relationship with Rahul.

Ratnesh brings this to KK's attention and KK, as a last gambit, first rekindles ambition in his embittered wife Mandira, who is herself a retired former star, then manipulates Crystal's latent desire for Bollywood stardom to ensnare her, and finally uses her to suck Rahul into the big bad world of Bollywood.

A new sure-to-succeed "Super Duper Hit" film is launched starring KK, Mandira, Rahul and Crystal, as the never-say-die KK poses grandly for a Happy Family Picture.

The King finally wrests back his crown as the Prince ascends the throne.