Vikram Chatwal's Big Break with the Big B

It's going to be hotelier-actor-business tycoon Vikram Chatwal's big break - sharing screen with none other than Amitabh Bachchan.

Chatwal, who had earlier played a 30-second role in "Zoolander" and the lead in "One Dollar Curry", will now be seen in Apoorva Lakhia's "Ek Ajnabee" with the Big B and Arjun Rampal.

"Growing up abroad, my only connection with India was through the films of Amitabh Bachchan," Chatwal told IANS. "Each of his films were like a bit of India and I must have seen his films dozens of times, so acting with him is a great honour."

The Ethiopia-born, New York-based businessman is also doing Tanuja Chandra's "Hope And A Little Sugar" where he plays Anupam Kher's son who dies in the 9/11 terror attacks.

And early next year, Chatwal, dubbed "Manhattan's favourite playboy", will tie the knot with Delhi-based model and socialite Priya Sachdev, who is planning an acting career in Bollywood.

"We have many things in common," said Chatwal about his fiancée. "She has just been offered a role in a Hindi film. We discuss movies a lot and the common interest is really nice. It's great that she is looking at films too and we are bouncing boards for each other."

Chatwal said he too was not averse to joining Bollywood. "One should never say no to anything. If the right offer comes up, why not?"

But he is clear that he will not do a film with his bride. "I don't think that would really work out. I don't like mixing personal and professional lives," said Chatwal, who once dated Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, rumoured to be responsible for his famous 'G' tattoo.

Chatwal, who also has an elaborate tattoo of Guru Gobind Singh, has, in recent times, with a grin and sparkle, suggested that the 'G' was for the guru.

With his new chain of Dream hotels and the marriage, Chatwal said he was entering a new phase of life. "This is like a different plane," said the man, also called the "Turbaned Cowboy", who once used to zip around the world in rap mogul P Diddy's private organising giant parties.

He counts among his friends Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp.

But, for now, it's all Vikram Chatwal, the serious entrepreneur. "I want to build hotels in India, in Ethiopia where I was born. I love Addis Ababa. There is a lot of immigrant Sikh culture there.

"That's where my roots are and I want to fulfil my dream of building hotels there," said Chatwal, who was once declared Playboy's Most Eligible Bachelor, and is aiming to be the first Sikh billionaire.

It helps that he is heir to his father Sant Singh Chatwal's $750 million Manhattan-based Hampshire Hotels and Resorts and helps raise campaign funds for the Democratic Party and counts the Clintons as family friends.

"Ambition is a important part of me," smiled Chatwal, who is planning a 120-room luxury hotel in Times Square called Lamb's Club. "As is spirituality."

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