Sixteen-year-old Jiah Khan of London is ecstatic. She has just landed a major role in the forthcoming Hindi film, Zaroorat.

Most of her glee is because it will mean temporary exemption from her studies. Teachers at Khan's sixth form college in London have agreed she can have the time off because they believe a film role in Mahesh Bhat's movie will prove a valuable educational experience.

Khan, who is now in Mumbai, has contacted some of her school friends in London to say she is off to South Africa shortly to play a demure Indian girl who steals the heart of a  wealthy young Indian boy.

Bhatt is believed to have discovered Jiah when he was invited to tea in London by her mother, former Hindi film actress Rabia. Impressed by Jiah's looks, Bhatt invited her to Mumbai immediately for a screen test, giving her a break that thousands of would-be actresses would kill for. Jiah passed with flying colours.

Bhatt, who has over 50 movies under his belt, is quoted as saying of Jiah, "She has real talent and a powerful screen presence. She is quick to learn and she's not just flirting with a career in the movies. She wants to make it to the top of the heap."

Jiah, who is playing opposite newcomer Imran Hashmi, has told her London friends, "The whole thing has been an absolute dream. My character is a poor girl. She meets a rich guy, they fall in love and he changes her ways. "

She adds, "I haven't even thought about stardom. "I just concentrate on looking good and doing my best at acting and dancing. I don't have the time to think about how I will handle the pressures of fame, if that happens."

Explaining that her London teachers have been very supportive, she says, "They think the whole thing is amazing and some think it is quite funny. They have been supportive. I am taking A-levels in film studies and literature, so this experience will help a lot. My English literature teacher told me he always thought I would end up going into a Bollywood film."