The Never-Ending Saga

The latest in what seems like the unending behind-the- scenes saga of Padmavati is that two studios have decided to join hands to fund the film. In order to divide the risk on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ambitious Rs 150 crore-plus epic, Eros Entertainment has reportedly reached out to Viacom18, and both studios are currently in talks to pool in and bankroll the project. The film’s landing cost, after provisions for marketing, promotions and other expenses like budget overruns and delays, could bring the project in at about Rs 180 crore, making it one of the most expensive Hindi films to be made.

Meanwhile, although no official statement has been released by Bhansali, it appears Ranveer Singh is locked to play the male lead after a long round of will-he-won’t-he. Bhansali reportedly made every effort to snag Shah Rukh Khan after his Bajirao Mastani leading man played hard to get. But SRK— who is already committed to finishing Imtiaz Ali’s film and a project with Aanand L Rai—is believed to have thrown his own googly at Bhansali. He apparently requested that the director change the film’s title to one that didn’t make it appear like it was the female protagonist’s story, before he would even consider taking it on.

Kangana’s Image Damage

When director Ali Abbas Zafar and the folks at Yash Raj Films went to Kangana Ranaut to play the female lead opposite Salman Khan in Sultan, the actress reportedly shooed them away, saying something to the effect that there wouldn’t be room in the film for two sultans.

That should quell any rumours that leading male stars are unwilling to work with the famously opinionated leading lady. However, sources close to the project say she wasn’t considered for Aanand L Rai’s Shah Rukh Khan-starrer despite having delivered two superhits with the filmmaker. The inside story is that the Tanu Weds Manu helmer had zeroed in on the triumverate of Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif, and in all likelihood, it may be Katrina who has bagged the project. “Kangana has become the female Aamir Khan,” my source explains. “She is invested in a film beyond her own responsibility. She likes to collaborate on the script, costume and other departments. And Aanand had become uncomfortable with that even in Tanu Weds Manu Returns. He appreciates that she wants to be involved every step of the way, but he didn’t want to risk casting two headstrong personalities. Shah Rukh Khan and Kangana in the same film might be too much to handle even for a filmmaker as confident and in control as Aanand.

Outsmarted by a Fan

This Bandra boy has never really had the reputation of being a skirt-chaser like some of his colleagues, but that’s only because his modus operandi has been more discreet, insiders insist. Unlike other stars who tend to make a play for every other actress they work with, this gentleman is known to have an eye for pretty young ladies outside filmi circles. Even when he was in a long committed relationship, those who’ve known him closely say he routinely hooked up with fit young women in the neighbourhood who were as far from the film business as could be. That way there were less chances of being snooped out either by nosy scandal-seeking reporters, or his girlfriend.

Of late, it turns out the actor has become braver. Frequently zipping around the bylanes of Bandra, he tends to indulge his fans who request selfies and autographs. Female fans get just a wee bit more attention, though. Buzz is that the actor will happily pass on his mobile phone number or ask for the pretty fan’s number and will begin texting her shortly after.

Okay, he’s no Anthony Weiner, so don’t expect any steamy messages or pictures of his endowment. They’re usually harmless, friendly messages that go back and forth for a day or two before he asks the recipient to visit him at his home. One young lady who figured out the drift of the ‘operation’ boldly confronted him about his marital status at the end of a long SMS exchange. To which he reportedly responded that he was ‘as good as single’.

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Rajeev Masand

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