How Rani helped Govinda make a comeback
The Rani effect
Govinda fans couldn't be happier when the Kill Dill trailer was finally revealed last week. After all, it's been too long since this talented actor has been seen on the big screen. In the yet-to-be release Yash Raj production, Govinda plays Bhaiyaji, who trains Ranveer Singh and Ali Zafar's characters to be killers.
After spending years on the fringes of Bollywood, Govinda has former co-star Rani Mukherji for this new lease that his career has received. "Rani knew that Govinda was desperate to make a comeback. When she heard the script for Kill Dill, she immediately suggested to Shaad (Ali, director) to consider Govinda to play Bhaiyaji," revealed a source close to the film.
Seeing as the two have so much history, it's really nice of Rani to move their relationship to a new dimension. Talking of Rani, in all her interviews post-marriage the actress was very categorical about not getting involved with the day-to-day workings of YRF. While that has clearly already happened, one hears that her elder brother Raja has also become an integral member of the think-tank at the studio.
Raja is already making all production calls for Maneesh Sharma's Shah Rukh Khan film Fan. The film went on the floors before SRK started the promotional blitzkrieg for Happy New Year. Apparently, the top brass at YRF aren't very happy to have someone with no production experience lording over the set, but no one is ready to cross swords with Aditya Chopra's new relatives.
Weighty problems
Whoever said size doesn't matter hasn't been an overweight actress in Bollywood. And, if your last few films haven't set the box office on fire, it gets even tougher to get work. This A-list actress who hasn't tasted box office success in a couple of years found it tough to sign the only film she has in her kitty currently.
If the whispers in the film's producer's office are to be believed, the young director, who is coming off two big hits flatly refused to work with her "because she is too fat". And, he made his reservations very clear to everyone involved without worrying about the actress in question hearing about them.
The film's leading man, who has worked with the actress in the past, also raised objections about her physicality.
Add to this, one half of the producer duo also didn't want to cast the actress because he thought "after three successive turkeys at the box office, she has no market value". The voluptuous actress almost lost out on the film but for the convictions of the veteran filmmaker producing the film.
The film has just gone on the floors and everyone is curious to see how the actress vibes with her director and leading man knowing that neither wanted her on the project.
Priyanka has a dream
Mary Kom has wowed both the audience as well as critics. Shooting for her production house's maiden venture Madhur Bhandarkar's Madamji is already underway in Mauritius. So, all in all, things couldn't be more perfect for Priyanka Chopra. But there is something very high on the actress' wishlist that is yet to materialize.
And, the wait has been long and frustrating. "I am still looking for that perfect home. It's been four years! Who knew it would be so hard," she says with a shrug. PC has only two criteria for her perfect home.
"I am an Army kid so I've grown up in bungalows. We don't do apartments. Also, when I had moved to Mumbai years ago, I had thought that my dream house will have a sea view. I want to be able to see the sea from my bedroom balcony."
While rumours have been swirling that the actress had zeroed in on a 15-bedroom property that is priced at a whopping 100 crores, PC puts all speculation to rest by saying, "Why should I hide it? Realising a dream is supposed to be a happy occasion, right?" Right! Happy house hunting.
Next is what?
This mega star started the now fashionable trend of doing one film at a time, but that's never stopped him from having a project in hand. But not this time. After his ambitious film that releases in December this year, the actor hasn't committed to any project. Busy with the film's post-production and his TV show, the actor wasn't very worried until now. With his film's release date drawing closer, the star has finally hit the panic button. His team has been instructed to start trawling through scripts to find something for him to sink his teeth into next. In the last few years, he's managed to have a release every year for the last few years. But for now, it seems he might not have a release in 2015.