The hype has hit a feverish pitch. One lakh people per day, according Omar Qureshi, editor, filmfareonline, have been logging on to indiatimes. com to express support to Aamir Khan, in the hope that Lagaan will win the Oscars.

Shola Rajchandran, vicepresident corporate communications, Star Movies says, "Star Movies expects a 30 per cent rise in viewership as per it's own market research. However, only one-third of this can be attributed to the Lagaan factor. The rest is due to the nomination build-up and general Hollywood euphoria among viewers."

Pune will be pulling out all stops to make sure they are present when the final verdict for Best Foreign Film is declared on Sunday, March 24. And the Lagaanese in the city are willing to put their money where their mouth is, as well.

Most of the bookies Pune Times spoke to said there was a substantial increase as far as betting on Lagaan was concerned.

Sixty-five per cent of the bets placed so far are in favour of Lagaan. The betting, which began earlier this week has touched Rs 30 crore throughout the country, and bookies expect the amount to cross Rs 50 crores before Oscar night.

"This is the first time I'm accepting bets for a movie," admits one local bookie, who was offering 6:1 odds, in favour of Lagaan.

Another top bookie offered as much as 10:1 in favour of Lagaan. For Aamir fans who are interested in more than just hedging bets on whether the biggest Bollywood hit of last year, will sweep the Oscars as well, the local entertainment industry is gearing up for Oscar night as well.

Holiday Inn has organised an Oscar special at their pub Boomerang. Hemant Mediratta, head, sales and marketing told Pune Times that besides telecasting the event 'live', the pub will serve drinks named after previous Oscar winners, like 'Gladiator' and 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'.

The Taj Blue Diamond will also be telecasting the Oscar awards 'live' on their 72-inch screen at the Casabella.

But the comfort of your home, coffee and your 21-inch flat screen may be the best place to deal with the anti-climax, should Bhuvan and team not make it.