JOHN TURNS PRODUCER

In view of nobody’s ready to put money on him, John Abraham is turning producer for his untitled dream project.

Whether its decline or John being no longer bankable, Studio 18 has backed off from producing his dream film. The film was to be directed by John’s good friend Sabal Shekhawat and at the last moment the production house backed out citing financial reasons. A source close to the actor exposed, “When John heard the script he was totally in wonder, the film is a spy thriller and Sabal wanted the film to be on the lines of Mission Impossible. This, however, had the production costs hitting the roof.”

Sabal Shekhawat is a renowned ad filmmaker and is the man behind John’s break in the modelling industry. “Studio 18 wanted Sabal to cut down some of the costs, but Sabal did not want to compromise with the quality of the film. This being the reason behind them backing out of the project. They’ve termed it as a recessionary decision, saying during such times, it’s impossible for them to put in such finances for a film,” the source added.

A friend of the actor said, "John wants to do a franchise film, like The Bourne series by Matt Damon- an intelligent spy thriller. He has not been given a chance to explore this genre, and as everybody from Neil to Saif are doing such films, he does not want to miss the bus."

John, however, wasn’t going to let of such as occasion considering his generation are all raking in international recognition with multi-budget flicks. John has decided to produce the film himself and confirmed to the press, ‘Studio or no studio, the film will be made. I have complete faith in Sabal and at no point, will I let him down. I will always stand by him like I do with my directors. There is no question of the film not happening; it is very much on course.’

Let's hope the positive John has a good first innings in the producing world!

KAT OR PRIYANKA AS DESI GIRL

In Dostana, Priyanka Chopra had two hot men, Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham, dancing around her calling out, “Ain’t nobody like my desi girl”.

And it seems Piggy Chops has not been able to cut off herself from the lively and sexy desi girl image. Priyanka feels no one can overwhelm her as the hottest desi girl.

Director Tarun Mansukhani who is at present busy writing Dostana 2 is also in two minds concerning the desi girl in the sequel. Though Katrina Kaif has nearly been confirmed for the film, Tarun is wondering if he should go ahead with his original desi girl, Priyanka Chopra.

Tarun took to Twittering to get over his uncertainty. He asks, “Who do you think should be the new Desi Girl?” Reverting to Tarun, Priyanka said, “No one can be! The original rests her case.”

Fascinatingly, Tarun shares the same thought about his desi girl. “I declare this today that Priyanka was, is and always will be my original desi girl.” he retorted. Tarun’s confident about Priyanka that he doesn’t want to take any risk. We wonder if that sounds an alarm for Katrina!

BIPASHA TO JUDGE A BRITISH REALITY SHOW

She’s looking to start on her international career.

Bipasha Basu will play a guest judge for a few weeks on a top-rated British talent hunt on TV.

Bipasha, who is busy trying to launch her global career, is more than contented to have taken up this project.

During a recent trip to the UK, Bipasha met the organisers of the show who asked her to be a part of the reality programme.

Bipasha notion it to be interesting to be a part of such a prominent show, in which talented people from across Britain platform their skills.

On the other hand, the organisers want to woo the Asian audience in Britain and think Bipasha will be the suitable person to boost the show’s status among the Asian community.

Bipasha has been offered a huge fee and now she is keen to get the deal inked.

BIPASHA TO HOST SHOW BASED ON US SUPERMODEL'S NEXT TOP MODEL

Shah Rukh's Red Chillies Entertainment is producing an American-based reality show in India. The production house has signed Bipasha Basu on, as the host of the show.

It is learnt that the show will go on floors by next month. It has the same concept as America's Next Top Model. A source discloses, "The show will have a number of women fight for the title of the Best Model to get a chance to start their career in the modelling industry. There will be minor changes in the pattern of the show as it is catering to the Indian spectators and the show will be called the Female Model Hunt."

The source continues, "The show in America has gained a lot of fame and has one of the highest TRPs. The American show host in former supermodel Tyra Banks. In India, one will see model-turned-actress Bipasha Basu as the show host.

The show format will have around nine to thirteen episodes and will start with 10-14 contestants. In each episode, one contestant will be eliminated. There will also be a panel of judges which are still under the working process. But the judges to be chosen will be from the modeling industry.

Red Chillies earlier produced The First Ladies with Abu-Sandeep and Knights and Angels. It also produced a drama based serial called Ghar Ki Baat Hai.

ADI SMILES AT KATRINA

Aditya Chopra is very mean with his smiles says a source. “Adi only smiles when he utterly has to,” the source emphasises.

Guess who the privileged one on his list these days. It is the heroine of his film New York Katrina Kaif. Kat spent hours on end promoting the film, conducting media contacts and eating lunches at Adi’s studio.

So much so that at the end of the week Aditya who was in detail impressed with her professionalism and commitment to the cause of the film in fact rewarded her. Yes, Adi smiled at Kat. Is that why Kat now looks like she got the cream?

DOSTANA QUARTET TO CHASE KATRINA

Katrina Kaif will be joining the crazy team of John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan in the sequel to Dostana.

She has signed the deal lately and is now the leading lady of the film. But Katrina’s not the only addition to the offered cast. Also in the list to woo and court her will be Arjun Rampal and Riteish Deshmukh. The two men have been taken on board to give the plot an extra zing.

Director Tarun Mansukhani has finally come up with the perfect script for the sequel to Dostana. Producer Karan Johar’s brief to Tarun was, “Go for it ... I’ll produce it only if you come up with the right script.” And Tarun claims to have done just that. The sequel will have not one or two, but four men chasing the pretty girl.

Our source reveals, “Katrina was preferred to play the female lead after much forethought. Dharma Productions has auditioned dozens of new girls. Actually, they wanted a fresh face for Dostana 2. But finally, after a tiresome Google search, they felt that Katrina’s ‘most hit’ status on the Internet makes it apt for her to play the role of the ‘most hit’ girl by the boys in Dostana 2.”

“It speaks volumes for Katrina’s professionalism that she has agreed to co-star with Abhishek, regardless of the rumoured differences with Aishwarya Rai over the Barbie doll issue and even with John, whom boyfriend Salman Khan has actually declared as a forbidden zone.”

Katrina, presently in New York, refuses to comment.