'I'm turning producer and I've set up my company Rising Son Entertainment,' Aftab had told IANS.

'I'm turning a producer to create opportunities for myself, to do roles and films that would otherwise not come to me. In fact, the director has also been finalised. I can't announce his name because he hasn't been signed as yet,' he added.

Besides them, actor Abhay Deol too has launched his production house, Forbidden Films. And the banner's first home production 'Junction' would be directed by debutant Atul Sabrawal.

Following the same path is Bollywood's heartthrob John Abraham, who is planning a tie-up with 'Ghajini' producer Madhu Mantena.

That's not all. Bollywood actresses are not far behind either in this race.

While successful actress Katrina Kaif wants to produce the remake of a French film she really liked, veteran actress Hema Malini, who tried direction with 'Dil Aashna Hai' in 1992, is also planning to shift her attention to production.

'I'm planning to start my own production. I don't want to say much about it because every time I talk about these things, they never happen. It's my desire to make lovely films because I am an artist and a very creative person,' said Hema.

Other heroines who have decided to take the plunge are Sushmita Sen, Mallika Sherawat, Shilpa Shetty and Tabu.

Different celebrities have different reasons to take interest in production, but turning producer sure seems to be the most popular move in Bollywood.

(Ruchika Kher can be contacted at ruchika.k@ians.in)