Though this is his first visit to the country, Amit isn't exactly a stranger to the inner clique of Bollywood's powers-that-be. His father, Ranjeet Uberoi, has been funding mega Bollywood projects for over a decade now (although never openly, or officially); and sycophantic cash-strapped producers making a beeline for the Uberoi headquarters in Dubai have to first convince Amit of the viability of their project before they can even meet the senior Uberoi!

    His sudden appearance at the glittering music release party yesterday evening, while taking everyone by surprise, also set the event abuzz with speculation. And young Amit didn't disappoint.

    After the event, flanked by his stunning new girlfriend and his ever present 'friend-and-companion', (a young man who never fails to raise eyebrows wherever he goes), his posse of bodyguards forming a protective ring around him, Amit announced the formation of his own movie finance company, to be based out of Mumbai, to fund Bollywood productions.

    Following the initial stunned silence, the grand hall exploded with thunderous applause, every Bollywood personality worth his/her salt (who were present in full strength at the event) rushing forward, wanting to shake his hand (and probably make the right impression).

    There was a desperate flurry of questions from the press corps present on the occasion, and as the frantic organisers tried to shoo them away, divert their attention to the lavish buffet table, Amit intervened, smiling broadly as he announced that he was ready to take questions, thrilling the journalists.

    But it soon became apparent that the gossip columnists present either knew nothing about him and his business activities, or were too awed to ask anything meaningful, Amit fending their inane queries with disarming charm and quick tongue-in-cheek repartees that left the gathering giggly like excited school kids.

    And when a correspondent from one of those numerous glossies quipped, "With your kind of looks, and the money your dad has, you could be the biggest star, any plans of dazzling Bollywood with your acting skills?"

    "My expertise lies in judging colour and grading diamonds, and dancing around trees doesn't come naturally to me," came his instant riposte, "though, I would never miss the opportunity of a dance with you!" making the young lady go red in her face with schoolgirlish excitement.

    Well, judging colour and clarity of diamonds doesn't seem to be the only talent that comes naturally to young Amit, and behind that suave façade and boyish charm lies a sharp and calculating brain, as brilliant as the brightest diamond ever mined!

    Seeing him at the event, and the way he had the movie moguls and glitterati fawning over him, it would seem that young Amit sure has done his homework well, and knows what makes the glamour world tick. Now, what remains to be seen is whether the son can succeed where the father had once failed.

    People of an older generation may recall Ranjeet Uberoi's first (and only) attempt at expanding his business interests to the shores of this country when his newly formed, Dubai based infrastructure consortium bid for the prestigious, multi-billion dollar megaport project, twenty years ago.

    While his senior company representatives were in the country, engaged in the official bid process, it was rumoured that he too was visiting, involved in some very high-powered, closed-door negotiations with certain very influential people. Such suggestions remained unverified, and his office in Dubai declined to either confirm or refute the rumours, or reveal where he might be.

    And then, something happen, and his company abruptly withdrew, hurriedly leaving the country under a cloud of some very serious and damaging, though unsubstantiated allegations, never to return!

    In fact, before Amit's unexpected appearance yesterday evening, there had been some persistent whispers over the past two weeks in certain circles that the young Uberoi scion may already be in the country, though no one knew his whereabouts. But then, both father and son are known to actively foster, and encourage an aura of mystery around themselves, and their every act - be it their travel plans, or their business manoeuvres.