Jerry,
Splitting into smaller batches could help, I did have my 30cm deep pan full of pilau rice. I guess its just s process of elimination until I get it right. Either way the kids loved it and that was the main thing. The Biryani coupled with a Bhuna and a Tarka Dal worked very well indeed just seamed to be missing something, weather thats my techinque or the recipe only time will tell.
Thanks for the feedback Jerry its much appreciated, I've been cooking curies without having others to bounce ideas off for far to long!