Bollywood Buzz
Deepika to share screen space with Ranbir’s dad
It may take some time before Ranbir Kapoor gets to share screen space with his dad Rishi Kapoor, but the young actor’s girlfriend already has that privilege. Yes, Deepika Padukone teams up with ‘Rishi uncle’, as she calls him, in Saif Ali Khan's first production to be directed by Imtiaz Ali of Jab We Met fame. Ironically, Saif’s lady-love in real life Kareena Kapoor could not bag the film as Imtiaz felt that she was not suited for the role. "I'm lucky enough to work with both Ranbir and Rishi uncle. Now all I need is a film with Neetu aunty to complete the picture," a thrilled Deepika said. The actress plays Saif’s leading lady in the yet untitled film. But before that, Deepika is busy flexing muscles for Nikhil Advani's action flick Chandni Chowk To China with Akshay Kumar.
Aamir is one of the Idiots!
Contrary to rumors, it’s Aamir Khan, not Ranbir Kapoor, who has been approached to play the lead role in Rajkumar Hirani’s next film tentatively titled Idiots, based on Chetan Bhagat’s Five Point Someone. Saif Ali Khan and John Abraham are also said to be in talks with the Munnabhai director for the supporting roles. A second Dil Chahta Hai? What’s more, this film might just see Aamir and Kareena Kapoor pair up for the first time. Apparently, Hirani’s first choice was Kajol but the choosy lady’s lukewarm response to the project made him turn to Bebo, who is very excited about acting with Aamir for the first time. Remember, the much-publicized Aamir-Kareena starrer Lajjo didn’t eventually work out.
Meanwhile, Aamir made many heads turn when he appeared at the premiere of Race in his new tonsured look. “I had this very short hair cut in keeping with the character I play in the Ghajini remake.” “He certainly looks hot,” added his admiring wife Kiran.
SRK, Irrfan are Krishna-Sudama
Ask any of Shah Rukh Khan’s friends and they’ll say he’s the best friend one could ever have. So it comes as no surprise to know that the superstar’s next production is based on friendship—the fabled Krishna-Sudama friendship, to be precise. Yes, SRK plays the modern day Krishna and that other powerhouse performer Irrfan Khan essays the role of Sudama in a film titled Billoo Barber, to be directed by Priyadarshan. Rumor has it that King Khan is trying to rope in Kareena, Priyanka and Deepika to star opposite him. He plays a rich Casanova in the movie, you see, while Irrfan plays Shah Rukh’s poor friend.
Apparently, Tabu was offered the role of Irrfan’s wife in the movie but the actress turned it down as the two are said to share cold vibes off-screen. This, despite their crackling on-screen chemistry in Maqbool and The Namesake! Ameesha Patel was then approached but we hear that she too is not very keen to take up the offer. So Irrfan will have to wait for a while before he gets his co-star.
Bollywood war of the cheerleaders
If it’s cricket, it’s got to be Bollywood. Almost every Indian Premier League team has signed on a Bollywood star to do the honors as cheerleaders. Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta had earlier bid for and bought their respective teams. While Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif will groove in a music video for Bangalore’s Royal Challengers, Shah Rukh Khan has taken on Rani Mukherjee and Bipasha Basu to promote his Kolkata Knight Riders. The two Bong actresses are set to play their Bengaliness to the hilt. Buzz is that SRK wants to deck them out in a completely traditional look? no, not for an item number but for a prayer or a chant. The latest to join the bandwagon is Hrithik Roshan, who will be cheering on the Mumbai Indians.
And as we go to press, we hear that Preity Zinta might just sign on the Deol family—Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby—for her Mohali team.
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