If the number of A-list films that an actor has on floors is an indicator of his positioning in the industry, Emraan Hashmi must be smiling from ear to ear, what with an enviable line-up ahead. While 'The Dirty Picture' (his first with Vidya Balan) releases on December 2, he has a slew of heavy-duty projects in queue - Dibakar Banerjee’s 'Shanghai', Kunal Deshmukh's 'Jannat 2', Vikram Bhatt’s 'Raaz 3' and Mohit Suri’s ‘Murder 3’ - all incredibly successful franchises.

“He doesn’t have dates for another year," says a trade insider, "That's how busy he is! After 'Murder 2' and 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai', Emraan and the box office are going very well with each other. He is selecting his films intelligently."

Meanwhile it is now confirmed that after 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai' and 'The Dirty Picture', Balaji has cast him yet again in Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Daayan' which would be directed by Kanan Iyer.

"Emraan is now working with the cream. Let's not forget that when Rani Mukerji was reportedly unhappy with Emraan's inclusion, the makers stood by him instead of bowing down to her demands," says a source, "He has his own place under the sun which cannot be overlooked."

Well, with the kind of line up that he has ahead of him, this may not warrant an argument either.