Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 8, 2012)

The filmmaker credited with discovering the likes of Neelam Kothari (Ilzaam) and Divya Bharti (Shola aur Shabnam), is launching one more fresh talent in Hindi cinema.

Eighteen year old Raika will debut opposite Govinda in Pahlaj Nihalani’s film Avatar that also stars Sunny Deol.

Nihalani confirmed the news and said, “I had also cast a new girl, Ritu Shivpuri, opposite Govinda, in Aankhen. Even Aankhen, like Ilzaam and Shola Aur Shabnam, did well at the BO. Raika is a talented girl,” Nihalani said.

A source revealed Raika was Nihalani’s first choice.“That’s right. Raika walked into my office in Bandra with just her portfolio and no recommendation. Believe it or not, I did not even audition her. I hadn’t auditioned Neelam or Divya either. I was quite sure she would fit the bill for Avatar,“ Nihalani said.

Apparently, the debutant actress didn’t have any reservations about donning a swimsuit in one of the scenes of the film. Said Nihalani, “Raika was pretty comfortable. She is quite a committed artiste, who I guess knows what is right for the script. We shot that scene in a club in Goregaon.“

Raika, who has yet to shoot most of her portions in the film, remained unavailable for comment.

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