Critics fault him for commercialising serious issues in the popular mould, but cannot deny that he has been more successful in treading the middle way between artistic and commercial cinema.

Admittedly he has compromised in order to come out with a perfect recipe for all kinds of audiences but the common feature in all his films have been their brilliance in technical aspects like art direction, cinematography and background score.

For years Ratnam seems to be pushing against some traditional barriers, but his film still operates within a rather chaste set of Bollywood values. He does throw caution out of the window in a small-budget film.

Now, if only he would do that for a mega-starrer as well we may have a finely crafted crossover hit in our hands.

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Superstar and thinking actor Aamir Khan, who has recently given two films that came very close to achieving global glory, will be teaming up with Ratnam, adding fuel to hopes that the duo will create movie magic that goes beyond all barriers.

Unlike Mani's last few films, this will be a one-language film, to be made in Hindi only.

"I can't speak Tamil," Aamir stated, "Right now, Mani hasn't finalised anyone else. Not even the leading lady. All I know is that I have allotted dates from October onwards."

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The year 2007 may have just begun, but one can confidently state that it will be an interesting year.