Despite her vow never to work in a two-heroine project, Zara Sheikh recently surprised everyone by silently signing on Sangeeta's Urdu film, Yeh Waada Raha, which boasts of a daunting list of Lollywood heavyweights, including Saima, Resham, Nirma, Saud and Shan. It is said that Zara agreed to do the film on the insistence of its producer, and also because she wanted to work opposite Shan again after Tere Pyar Mein.

Chalo Ishq Larraen's dismal fate at the ticket windows is responsible for worsening Zara's fears. She had left Samina Peerzada's Shararat, because she didn't want to be pitched against such Lollywood giants as Reema and Meera (who was initially doing the part that eventually went to Nirma), so early in her career.

But, as they say, film business is as unpredictable as they come. It can catapult a complete newcomer to dizzying heights of fame overnight, or depose a superstar from his cult status in a matter of a few Fridays. Here, people change policies and loyalties at the drop of a hat. Or, perhaps, they HAVE TO, for the sake of their survival.

Soon after the Chalo... fiasco, and Meera reducing Zara to a virtual nobody in the film, a Shehzad Gul started talking about casting a rank newcomer in his next two projects. It hurt Zara no end, who was expecting some loyalty from the producer with whom she had given the biggest hit of the year 2000.

But, Tere Pyar Mein was history. And, so was the Zara-Gul association. Or, so it seemed. In such testing times, Zara latched on to any (seemingly!) big film that came her way. Her anxiety was for all to see at the premiere of Salakhain, another film which starred Meera alongside her.

Zara tried to opt out later. Only she did not. Her apprehensions were temporarily put to rest by constant assurances from her mentor and guide, makeup artist Khawar Riaz, who is doing the hair, makeup and dresses for the entire cast in the film. Zara complied, knowing that she had bagged the main lead. Little did she realise that Meera's special appearance in the film might turn out to be a tad too special, thanks to the latter's rumouredly 'special' association with her Rukhsati director.

Back from a fortnight-long Salakhain shooting spell in Hunza, a hurt Zara chose not to speak her heart out, at least not in public. Obviously, she was gaining time. She did not want to cross the bridge before it came. While insiders swear that Meera's exclusive get-up as well as her glamorous role which, even as it starts after the interval, is likely to overshadow Zara's.

Showbiz.com.pk tried to contact the dusky damsel in distress, to sound her out on her signing on Sangeeta's film, besides the reason for her feeling insecure, but she was not available for comments. Today, Laaj is the only film Zara can attach big hopes to. The other two movies, as they say, might repeat the history of Chalo Ishq Larraen for Zara. But, then they might not. After all, the film business is most unpredictable, isn't it?

--Yasir Nisar