Dattani has been finalised to star in the film that will be made in four more Indian languages and is to be produced by a leading production house in the US.

"I'm not supposed to talk about the project," says Dattani. "All I can say is that it's a freewheeling musical adaptation of 'Titanic'. I'm very excited because 'Titanic' is my favourite American film. I've watched it so many times I know every moment by heart. I often used to wonder what it would be like to play Leonardo DiCaprio's role."

Launched by Rajshri Production, Dattani is considered by many as one of the most promising newcomers in recent times.

Director Anant Mahadevan, who has signed him for a double role in a screen adaptation of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors, calls him the "new kid on the block".

The buzz around Dattani's new film, Hriday Shetty's "Pal Tham Gaya", is also very positive. And at least three major production houses, two of them belonging to large corporate houses, are considering Dattani for their films.

According to sources, Dattani was selected to play DiCaprio's role out of 35 Bollywood actors, including some top names.

"None of the others possessed that particular blend of youth and vitality of DiCaprio. Dattani has the right mix," says the head of the production company behind the film.

"We haven't seen much of his work. We selected him on the basis of a music video in which he was endearingly different."

Dattani is ecstatic. "It feels great. I had no connections to the film industry when I came. My family is in the textile business. I guess everyone here gets what he deserves. If Abhishek Bachchan is doing so well it isn't because of his surname but his talent and charisma."

The 23-year-old Malabar Hill resident is hopeful about the future. "And now with my new film 'Pal Tham Gaya' around the corner, I feel my innings in Hindi cinema has just begun," he says.

According to Mahadevan, "Sammir Dattani isn't just another dude with bulging biceps. He is a very sensitive actor."