MTV announced plans yesterday for a foray into films, kicking off a countrywide Star Hunt in tandem with indiatimes.com and Coca-Cola.

The winner of the Star Hunt will debut in the Tips Industries-produced film tentatively titled Ishq Vishq Pyar Vyar. It is a romantic, musical comedy and is scheduled for a May 2002 release, informs Ken Ghosh, the director of the movie. The shortlisted aspirants will be further pruned to a final cast of 11, made up six males and five females, according to Ghosh. The characters should "look 19", he adds.

Auditions for the shortlisted candidates will be held in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore on 12 May, 19 May and 26 May respectively, and the winner will play the lead role, according to a company release.

Satayadev Dubey, Mickey Contractor, Daboo Ratnani, Ganesh Hegde will form part of the panel in selecting the winners.