No Concessions for Friends

No Concessions for Friends • Much Too Media Shy • Enemies Turned Lovebirds

Vipul Shah and Akshay Kumar have been close friends for years. Akshay starred in the director’s first film, Aankhen, in 2002, and has since repeatedly delivered hits with Vipul. But according to the industry grapevine, their friendship has lately gone sour. Their lucky streak came to an end with last year’s abysmal comedy Action Replayy, which tanked at the boxoffice. And now it turns out that Vipul would rather work with Salman Khan or Ajay Devgn instead of pairing up with Akshay again.

What seems to have driven a spoke in their friendship is the actor’s greed, say insiders. Vipul has been reportedly telling everyone who’s willing to listen that making movies with Akshay is no longer financially viable, given that the star continues to demand hefty acting fees despite the fact that he can no longer bring audiences in. Unlike other stars who sportingly give up part of their fees if a film fails to make money, Akshay makes no such concessions. Not even for friends

What’s that they say about a leopard never changing its spots? Govinda, dancing star of the 90s, who suffered a fall from grace when the industry virtually boycotted him because of his unprofessional ways, has been slowly trying to inch his way back into the movies for the past few years. Those who know him, however, insist he hasn’t really changed much.

Sunil Shetty, his co-actor and producer of Loot, had to literally beg Govinda to participate in the promotional campaign for the film when the former star threatened to steer clear of media interactions and promotional events. With some difficulty, Shetty managed to coax Govinda into doing a few interviews, but even on days that he did show up to talk to the press, insiders say he drove Shetty up the wall with his crazy demands.

Govinda’s staff reportedly ran up a bill of several thousand rupees one afternoon when they arrived with the star at the JW Marriott Hotel in Mumbai for the interviews. A steady stream of snacks and refreshments were ordered for his team, and Govinda himself did less than half the number of interviews he had committed to do. Shetty had to personally and repeatedly urge him not to take these promotional activities lightly, as it was an important aspect of the film’s marketing campaign.

Last heard, Govinda conveyed to Shetty that he would be unavailable for any further promotions as he was headed to Nepal. A distraught Shetty, who understands the importance of marketing and promotions before a film’s release, has reportedly told friends and associates that he feels betrayed by Govinda, who incidentally asked Shetty to cast him in the film in the first place.

This young male star, who’s positioning himself as a Casanova of sorts, seems to have decided to make up for lost time. When he was in a committed relationship with a co-star for some years, he didn’t let his eyes wander even momentarily, his close friends say. But ever since his relationship went kaput, he’s been hitting on anything and everything that moves.

This includes a sexy female star who he’d worked with a few years ago, but didn’t exactly get along with. His girlfriend at the time was sworn enemies with the actress, and as a result, he got off on the wrong foot with his co-star from the moment they began working together. Now single, he’s been wooing her relentlessly. The actress, herself recently single after a long-term relationship ended, is enjoying the attention and has been flirting right back, her staff reveals.

When she was getting ready to fly to Greece to shoot a film she’d committed to, the male star offered to show up there towards the end of her schedule so they could holiday for a few days away from prying eyes. The actress is naturally flattered by all the attention, but her friends are warning her not to get emotionally involved. Her suitor, after all, has been serenading practically every actress who currently happens to be single. There have been reports of his hooking up with actresses at parties, and showering flowers and gifts on actresses who play hard to get.

About The Author

Rajeev Masand

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