Aamir, Saif to play lunatics!

Mumbai: Barely a few hours before flying off to Cannes for the screening of his short film on global warming, director Pan Nalin revealed that he is on the verge of a casting coup. For the screen adaptation of legendary Pakistani playwright Saadat Hasan Manto's short story Toba Tek Singh, Pan will be casting Oscar winners Kate Winslet or Rachel Weisz as Dr Sophie, the female lead.

"Either Kate or Rachel will be doing my film. I will be meeting both of them after my Cannes trip to finalise the casting. Either of them will be able to do justice to this marvelous story," says Pan.

The hero of the film will be either Aamir Khan or Saif Ali Khan who will play the role of a lunatic in a mental asylum. "I haven't finished casting for the male lead, but Aamir and Saif fit the role best. I would reiterate that there's no question of a first or second choice between them. It depends on their availability when the film goes on the floors this August." Though Pan is not telling, sources say that Irrfan Khan might end up in the film too. According to sources close to Aamir, Pan has already narrated the script to him and Aamir has taken a keen interest. But he hasn't signed on the dotted line yet.
Talking about the script, Pan reveals, "I travelled to Pakistan to acquire the rights of the short story that describes a comic situation inside an Indian mental asylum in 1947 when India and Pakistan were being created. Dr Sophie comes to the mental asylum to decide how they will be dividing the lunatics lodged there betweenIndia and Pakistan. The comedy thereafter suddenly takes a tragic turn."

Read more...

Saif whisks Kareena off for a Special Holiday

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor, are presently in New york, shooting for Rensil D' Silva's film. They will finish the schedule in the next few days and the Chote Nawab plans to whisk away his beloved for a 10-day luxurious holiday in Italy's exclusive resort the 16th century Villa D'Este, on the shores of Lake Como in Cernobbio.

The villa has housed celebrities like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Greta Garbo, Gregory Peck, Clark Gable, Eddie Murphy, Liza Minelli, Sylvester Stallone and Bing Crosby amongst others. Alfred Hitchcock shot his first movie The Pleasure Garden here.

Says a source close to the couple, "Kareena has not been keeping well so Saif decided it was time for her to take a break. He called their business manager Zahid and cancelled all her work commitments for the next two weeks. Except for a brief Swiss holiday in Christmas, the actress has been busy with her films, shows and endorsements for a major part of the year. Kareena has also some big releases coming this year including Karan Johar's home productions directed by Rensil D'Silva and the one with Kajol and Raj Kumar Hirani's 3 Idiots."

The source adds that Saif is making all the travel arrangements. It will be their first time in Florence. He zeroed in on Florence as he loves it's old world charm and magnificent architecture of its chapels and churches. Seeing Michelangelo's paintings in Florence is also a part of the itenary.

The Prince of Pataudi is quite excited about their stay at the Villa d'Este. The source adds, "Although it is super-expensive, that was not an issue. Saif feels it's a well-deserved break and wants to make the trip special. Last time, he had booked an entire chalet in the Swiss Alps. Saif has made Bebo understand the importance of balancing her private and professional life. She won't be taking any phone calls during the holiday. It's all about fun."

Kareena says, "Yes, it's true Saif and I are shortly leaving for our Italian holiday soon but it's private and I wouldn't like to divulge the details of our stay."

Read more...

Saif's production house to specially pen roles for Kareena

Kareena Kapoor has always been selective in her choice of roles; now, she's also paying attention to the depth of her roles.

Substantial, please!

It is believed that when Sohail Khan approached her for his home production, starring himself and brother Salman, Bebo asked him to have her role rewritten to make it more substantial Sohail did so.

The actress says, "Main Aur Mrs Khanna is a girl's story and Sohail and Salman have great roles."

Would she consider having a role written especially for her? She says, "Saif has a production house and he asks me what roles I want to do and that he will have them written for me. I am very lucky. One film I am dying to do is Mamma Mia! it's brilliant.

I love Meryl Streep and only watch her films! I would love to do a Mother India too, but who can write such good scripts today?"

A point to prove

Bebo continues, "I have always been clear about what roles I want to do. If someone says I can't do a role, I instantly take it up as a point to prove be it a 22-year-old sex worker in Chameli or playing Dolly Mishra in a male-dominated Omkara.

I've done it without any sugar daddy to thank. It is sheer hard work and dedication and the faith of my wonderful directors Sudhir Mishra, Imtiaz Ali, Vishal Bhardwaj, Rensil D'Silva, Raju Hirani and Saabir Khan among others."

Do me a favour, don't play Holi

Kareena whose family started the trend of Holi bashes didn't play this year. "I slept and caught up on all that I missed out while attending Amu's wedding last week.

I stopped playing Holi as the colours stay and then it becomes difficult to shoot. I miss my grandfather's parties at RK Studios. He took that with him when he left. Now no Kapoor celebrates the festival in a big way.

I remember as a child full of awe watching the stars who would come to attend grandfather's Holi bash from Dilip uncle to all the actresses of that time."

Read more...

SRK, Saif and Akshay's LIC secret revealed

Real estate as investment is a thing of the past. We all know of how Bollywood stars are securing their future by purchasing flats and farmhouses around the town and countryside.

Shah Rukh is said to be creating another 'Mannat' in Dubai too.

But here's a recent development we got to know of. As it seems Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar are investing heavily in the of Life Insurance Corporation of India!

The government-run insurance company, the largest in the country, came up with a particular scheme that has got all the stars hooked on.

Our source tells us that the scheme ensures a guaranteed rate of returns.

"Moreover, it also carries a risk cover six times the maturity sum assured in the first year. In the subsequent years, it becomes two times the maturity sum because the scheme guarantees a certain percentage of income every year. Now here's the best part – the interest earned on this investment is totally tax-free," says the source.

Clearly our market savvy stars would be fools to let go of such a wonderful scheme to multiply their money. So when their financial advisors came to them with the idea, Shah Rukh, Saif and Akshay promptly jumped at it.

So just how much have these men invested?

If rumours floating in the market are to be believed, Shah Rukh Khan has invested Rs 8 crore. Not to be left behind, Akshay Kumar too invested the same amount as the Khan and Saif Ali Khan is said to have invested Rs 7 crore.

The policy of the stars will mature in 10 years.

Read more...

Kareena ends relationship with Saif

Every one is aware of Kareena Kapoor and her relationship with Saif Ali Khan. Her chemistry with Saif Ali Khan has been the talk of the town in the year 2008 whether it be dancing in the functions, dating, shoots and outdoor locations

A source reveals, “Saif Ali Khan is regularly crowding her for attention. Nowadays, if you see him on his mobile phone, he’s only talking to Kareena. Saif Ali Khan has stopped communicating almost completely with all his family and friends.”

Although she did not give many hit films to Bollywood but her popularity never decreased. Her film ‘Golmaal Returns’ was a hit film but the whole entire can not go to Kareena as the movie was a multi starrer. Due to this Kareena Kapoor had depressed as her career was not going ahead well. Therefore she decides to break up with Saif Ali Khan.

If reports are to believed, she is not entirely breaking up her relationship with Saif but now she wants to concentrate on her career and keeps her personal life away.

Kareena Kapoor said, “I don’t think people have the right to know what’s going on in my private life. They have my films to judge me with. I don’t need to give explanations about what happens behind my closed doors.”

Read more...