Is Kareena really a profit partner in Heroine?

While one waits to see what really unfolds on screen once Heroine arrives on the big screen, at least off screen the film is pretty much turning out to be a saga in it’s own. So much so that Madhur Bhandarkar could well think of including that as a chapter within his film itself. Even though Kareena Kapoor camp is insisting that the numero uno actress has reached a ‘middle path’ by working out a deal that amounts to Rs. 8 crores as her overall remuneration, sources deny any such progress.

“It is surprising to read a different theory making rounds every week. First it was said that she had demanded for Rs.10 crores to play the title role of Heroine. Then a few days later it came down to Rs.8 crores. Now it is being said that it would be a mix of fees as well as profit sharing, all of which will finally amount to Rs.8 crores, hence making it a win-win situation for her as well as the makers (Bhandarkar and UTV Motion Pictures). The fact though is that none of this is true and the price as well as deal is all coming out of nowhere”, informs a reliable source.

No one is blaming Kareena for such rumours making the rounds though and insiders claim that some within the industry are having a field day giving rise to such speculations and assumptions.

“At a career stage where Kareena is currently, she doesn’t need to encourage any such stories. If you look at all so-called breaking news pieces carefully, she hasn’t said a single word about her fee so far. All she is saying is that she is getting what she deserves. The makers too respect this and hence everyone is on the same page. However, there are people around them who are throwing numbers, something which has started to seem a little repetitive off late”, the source adds.

Meanwhile insiders claim that while there is no profit sharing deal with either Kareena or Arjun Rampal (as has been claimed), the final remuneration is less than half of what is being claimed.

“But again as they say, never ask a man’s salary; or for that matter even a woman’s”, a trade insider quips, “What is of paramount importance is that Kareena has been confirmed for the film and we can now expect a terrific film in the offing. With the kind of insider’s view that she can bring to the role as well as the only actress at the top who comes with terrific acting capabilities coupled with glamour quotient, Madhur indeed has a winner in hands. It would be better if everyone starts contributing to making a good film now.”

Well that can pretty much be expected, what with the film kicking off with one schedule in November/December and then wrapping up by July next year.

‘Heroine’ starts moving

Here’s piping hot news! Madhur Bhandarkar and UTV’s joint production HEROINE is all set to roll. Finally. Madhur had approached Kareena Kapoor to enact the title role, soon after completing the script. After several meetings and discussions on the script, the actress politely turned down the offer for reasons best known to her. Later, Madhur decided to put the project on hold and start something fresh. But the script of HEROINE countinued to remain close to Madhur’s heart.

Well, the latest on the project is that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has stepped into this prestigious project. Though she’s yet to sign on the dotted line, the actress has agreed in principle to enact the title role in this hard-hitting, realistic film. HEROINE will be shot non-stop for two months, starting June first week.

Watch this space for more news-break!

Kareena to launch ‘Bebo’ range of handbags

Just recently, Kareena Kapoor was appointed as the brand ambassador for Laive handbags. One thing that the company noticed is that since the leggy damsel was signed on, the sales picked up. In response to this sudden rise in sales, the company has decided to come up with a special edition of the bag.

The said special edition will be titled Bebo, after the actress’s nickname. Currently, the actress is in talks regarding the bag line. As there are multiple aspects that need to be considered like the selling and marketing as well as Kareena’s involvement including her remuneration. As for the clutches, they will be a high- end collection in gold, silver, beige and black and will bear her signature.

Way to go ‘Bebo’!

Hot Buzz: Latest gupshup from tinsel town

There are whispers that Kiran Rao is planning an international cut of DHOBI GHAT for countries/markets where Hindi films don’t get released, but the news is unfounded. Kiran has denied the rumors to this writer.

There’s tremendous speculation that Madhur Bhandarkar has approached Priyanka Chopra to essay the main role in HEROINE, after Kareena Kapoor decided against doing the film. However, the news is untrue.

Rumors are rife that UTV and Anees Bazmee’s THANK YOU, slated for release on 8 April, will not make it on that date. But UTV’s Siddharth Roy Kapur denies the news. “8 April is the date, no change of plans,” he says.

Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupathi to marry early next year

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Karan Johar might just win the award of “revelation king” what with so many secrets and speculations are brought to rest, and beans that were spilled on his show. Be it Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor’s break-up story or Priyanka Chopra and Shahid Kapoor’s affair, even Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka’s mutually animosity, it all came oozing out on ‘Koffee With Karan’.

And now with Lara Dutta and Mahesh Bhupathi making an appearance at the show as a couple, some interesting news is up for grabs as well. Lara and Mahesh have made a statement on the show that two will tie the knot in February; as for the date their families are busy fixing it.

There were lots of discussions about the marriage plans as the two looked clearly in love. As for the gossip part of it, lots of discussions took place on the past affairs, relationships and the link ups, a la Karan style.

Another Bollywood wedding waits in the coming New Year, and many a heart will break with Lara tying the knot.

Russian President meets SRK and Bebo on sets of Ra.One

That Shah Rukh Khan has a huge fan following world over is a given. However, what was surprising to note was the fact that even the President of Russia Dimitri Medvedev is an admirer of the Bollywood superstar. The Russian President was in Mumbai on a political visit but he did squeeze out sometime from his busy schedule to drop by on the sets of Ra.One to meet Shah Rukh Khan. Dimitri Medvedev was also equally excited to meet SRK’s Ra.One co-star Kareena Kapoor and even told her how popular her late grandfather (Shri. Raj Kapoor) still is in his homeland Russia. The President saw one shot, chatted with the actors and bid them goodbye.

In the recent past, even world famous magician Franz Harary made a stop over on the sets of Ra.One to meet the Baadshah of Bollywood. Surely they don’t call him King Khan for nothing.

Rajkumar Hirani directs Shah Rukh Khan in an ad film

Not too long ago, the ace director Raj Kumar Hirani made news when he decided to rope in his star from 3 Idiots, Kareena Kapoor, for an advert. The director who ventured into films following a successful career in advertising has now shot an ad with none other than SRK.

It is being said that the director has apparently shot an ad with King Khan for a fairness product. The two were in the past supposed to work together for 3 Idiots but the deal didn’t work out and the rest as they say is history.

The said commercial was shot in Filmistan studio in Mumbai yesterday and it will go live on air in few weeks.

Kareena Kapoor chooses Shahid over Hrithik and John

MUMBAI: Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor were once the mushy couple of the Bollywood tinsel town and were regular painters of the gossip columns. They even made headlines when their lip lock became a rage and did the nationwide tour via cellular mms.

However, after Saif flaunted his ‘Tashan’ and Kareena her lime-green bikini, a fresh love bloomed and Shahid got unceremoniously dumped. But you can’t prevent Kareena from being the candid gal that she is.

In ‘Koffee with Karan’, Kareena has hailed Shahid as the sexiest man. When Karan quizzed her asking her to name the sexiest actor from a list that included the names of the Greek God Hrithik, the cute Imran Khan, the macho Arjun Rampal and the dashing hunky John Abraham, Kareena confidently picked up Shahid’s name much to the surprise of beau Saif. Even Karan was stumped for once and Shahid must have had his heart in his mouth for one split second.

Kareena also took a jibe at Priyanka Chopra taunting her for her accent and calling her the number two actress after herself. Saif and Kareena lashed out their tongues and delighted Karan with more comments; something that is bound to stir the nation’s imagination. Earlier, the episode featuring Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone had also grabbed quite a few eyeballs.

Dev Anand allows Rohan Sippy to use the song ‘Dum Maaro Dum’

Dev Anand has always been extra possessive about his films and songs. Not exactly forthcoming about any kind of remake that one might want to make. But even Dev Anand knows where his work would be respectably recreated as he has finally given his blessings to the team of Dum Maaro Dum when Rohan Sippy approached him with the proposal.

Once he realised, what Rohan Sippy, the director of the film, wanted to do with
his cult song ‘Dum Maaro Dum’, which we remember for the retro look and the then-popular-culture of drugs, he was more than happy to give Rohan Sippy the rights to remake it.

The movie Dum Maaro Dum, starring Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and Rana Daggubatti, will now have the remixed version of the cult classic of the yesteryears. The remixed version of the song, is supposed to be young and contemporary, so that today’s generation too can relate to it.

But the big question is who will fill the big shoes of Zeenat Aman who looked stunning in the original version of the song, and carried it with such punch. Lips are sealed and no one is divulging any names. Insider sources claim that some of the top most actresses like Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor are being considered.

The remix of the song is being done by Pritam, and he is presently working quite hard on it. Insiders claim that this song is going to be a scorcher, and is going to be the hottest song of the coming year.

Rani Mukherjee and Kareena Kapoor to star opposite Aamir in Reema Kagti’s film

Ever since it was announced, Excel Entertainment and Aamir Khan Productions’ film starring Aamir Khan and directed by Reema Kagti has been in the news. There were speculations all the while as to who the lucky two heroines would be who would be paired opposite Aamir in this suspense flick. Now the suspense (pun intended) is over and it’s none other than Rani Mukherjee and Kareena Kapoor who have been signed on for this ambitious project.

This is the first time that Aamir, Rani and Kareena will be starring in the same film and it’s indeed a casting coup for sure. It may be recalled that Rani starred opposite Aamir early in her career in the smash-hit Ghulam and was even part of the historical Mangal Pandey -The Rising. Bebo meanwhile was Aamir’s co-star in last year’s blockbuster 3 Idiots.

Now with the trio coming together for this project, things are only going to get hotter in the days to come.

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