By Subhash K Jha, IANS

The aftershocks of Sony TV's game show "Bigg Boss" are being felt in the most unexpected places. Rakhi Sawant, who was happy being an item bomb in films that flaunted her flesh in flashy appearances, has now mended her ways.

In Rahul Rawail's ensemble comedy "Buddha Mar Gaya", which starts shooting Jan 25, Rakhi has been cast in a tailor-made role that requires no oomph, only chutzpah.

"I was hunting for a girl to play this zany, liberated, frank and fearless girl called Kim in my comedy. No one seemed to fill the bill until I saw Rakhi on 'Bigg Boss'. I loved her spirit and honesty. I immediately decided to cast her," Rawail told IANS.

Rakhi, who will join the ensemble cast comprising Om Puri, Paresh Rawal, Mobhano Modi-Kotwal and Anupam Kher who plays a corpse, had no inhibitions about being inhibited for the first time.

"Rakhi has no item songs, no striptease element to provide in 'Buddha Mar Gaya'. I'm glad I found her to play the role. I can't think of anyone better," said Rawail, who is excited about working with a cast that doesn't require him to look anxiously over his shoulder at the box office.