She looked absolutely at ease with herself. The tension and tumult of the last month was scarcely visible on her comely face. She mingled with the guests seamlessly and there was a touch of relaxed convenience to her.

Well, this was Meera Jasmine at the muhurat of M S Raju-produced film yesterday.

The film, directed by Boyapati Srinu, will mark Meera's first big venture after the unseemly controversies that surrounded her and her family all through last month.

Initially, reports had it that the producers were slightly reluctant to cast her in the film. For one, Meera is not so popular in Telugu so far (Her films in Telugu have not had any great run. Her last release Gudumba Shankar was a major disaster). For another, the producers did not want to court any more controversy over her family feuds.

But her cute looks and compact acting style (she is this year's National Award winner) convinced M S Raju to cast her in the film that will hit the theatres in April 2005.

Meera and Ravi Teja, the hero of the film, make for a quaint pair. She is quiet and soft, he is loud and garish.

An interesting combo, right?