MUMBAI — Anupam Kher's niece Vrinda is set to make her debut as an actress in producer Sanjeev Bhatia's Maya Vanilla and Strawberies. Vrinda Kher, daughter of Anupam's brother actor Raju Kher, is expected to play an important role in Bhatia's two movies, the Indian Express newspaper said Saturday. “The Khers are like a family to Ravi Rai, the director of the film, but that is not the reason he took Vrinda on board,” the newspaper quoted a source close to the project as saying. “In fact, some 40 girls participated in the auditions, out of which Vrinda was confirmed,” added the source. Maya is a story of five strangers, which includes two girls and three boys, who come to the land of opportunities, Mumbai, and become friends after sharing an apartment. The film stars Ali Fazal in the lead along with newbies Namit Das, Aman Uppal, Sara Khan and Vrinda Kher. “Apart from the five youngsters, the movie features a newbie who plays the role of Maya, a prostitute. Interestingly, the character has only one scene in the film,” said the source. Shot at real locations in Mumbai, the film is 80 percent finished, with only the last schedule to be canned in mid December. — SG
