"While in prison, I used to watch all of Aishwarya's movies on my laptop besides listening to Lataji's songs. And let me admit that I am a great fan of Aishwarya Rai now," Gillani, a diehard romantic, told a private news channel.

Gillani, who belongs to a family descended from a Sufi saint, became a Lata fan when he was jailed in 2001 after being arrested by Mushaarraf on charges of misusing his position as Speaker of the National Assembly to make irregular appointments.

The 55-year-old former minister chose prison over offers from President Pervez Musharraf's regime to be freed in exchange for cutting off ties with the Pakistan People's Party.

With the new Prime Minister's fondness for Bollywood's actresses and musicians, Pakistanis hope to see more Indian films making their way to their entertainment-starved country.