SALMAN’S EXPECTATIONS FROM MAMK

In view of Main Aurr Mrs Khanna was to be kept on the backburner after the spate of flops Salman was going through before Wanted, what prospect does he hold of the film.

Salman Khan had four back to back flops before Wantedbecame a huge success. His career and also that of the producer Boney Kapoor’s was on the line before the release of Prabhu Deva’s big B-town debut and thankfully Wanted went on to become the second biggest grosser in Bollywood this year. However Prem Soni’s Main Aurr MrsKhanna which is yet again another extra marital love story had been ready for a year now and it’s only because of Wanted being a mega hit is it getting to see the light of day now.

A source added, “Financiers had their doubts with Main Aurr Mrs Khanna before Wanted as the film has the same old storyline of that of a extra marital love story and it didn’t have something new to offer. Sohail Khan too hasn’t been able to create a foothold in the Industry making it even more sceptical for them to let the film release this year. However after Wanted the rest was history and they’re all trying to bank on Salman’s newfound mega superstar success.” Prem Soni however denied such rumours and stated, “The concept is completely new and fresh, the film has a lot of offer and the audiences will realise that this Oct 16th.”

Salman too has said that Main Aurr Mrs Khanna is a sweet and simple love story and masses will identify with the storyline and concept of the film. Still the source adds, “Salman would rather focus all of his attention to Vipul Shah’s London Dreams as it already has started to create a lot of buzz with him reuniting with Ajay Devgn after 9 years. Also the production value, storyline and music is also one of the many highlights of the film. And after that is Veer, which is Salman’s baby and he’s focusing all his attention to the film, so if MAMK does well, then he’d be more than happy and if not, it wouldn’t really make much of a difference to him.”

KAREENA HAS A PROBLEM WITH KAJOL

In the hindi version of Stepmom, Kareena will have to prove her guts against Kajol.

It’s not the first time they are working together, but it’s always been like this. Ever since Kareena worked with her favourite co-star Kajol in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, she has always held her acting skill a notch less to the experienced senior.

For her next project with Kajol, Stepmom, Kareena has been taking acting classes with the help of film director Siddharth Malhotra to brush up on her skills before she faces her idol.

‘Vishal Bharadwaj's Omkara is the only other time I have rehearsed my scenes. It was an unusual film and my role where I had to get into a certain milieu and simple character I knew nothing about needed that sort of rehearsing. In Stepmom, which is urban and very modern, I play a very normal metro-centric working girl,’ said Kareena at a press conference recently. It is a well known fact that Malhotra's film is inspired by the 1998 hit drama Stepmom, in which Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts share the same man- in an unusual love triangle. In the hindi version, Arjun Rampal is the lucky man to be romancing both these stunning ladies - Kajol and Kareena.

Reportedly Kareena has been buying time out of the rehearsals for a song she began shooting with Aamir Khan for 3 Idiots. Kareena is glad that she is playing a normal girl, away from all the glam associated with her name. ‘I walk, talk, dress like an ordinary working girl. I'll be using no makeup,’ she exclaims.

About her look in the film, she says, ‘I couldn't cut my hair as planned because of continuity clashes. And I didn't want to cut my long hair. But I'm going for a new hairstyle.’ Ace designer Manish Malhotra is giving her warm earth tones to bring out a simple personality in her character. She will be seen wearing a lot of muted tones.

The shooting of Stepmom is to begin this month end. Kareena cannot stop gushing about her favourite co-star ‘She's always been one of my favourite actresses. We worked together in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. We were sisters then, now we have a lot of friction in this film and it will be something else.’

We can’t wait to see them back together, they do have a crackling chemistry.

SALLU SURPRISED US? NAH

Superstar fails to live up to commitment.

Salman Khan came into Dubai last night (Oct 6) for a Being Human event. At the same time, he projected to promote his approaching film, “Main Aurr Mrs Khanna”, so some interviews with local media were lined up.

First, we were told he and bro Sohail were having visa issues. Then we were informed they would speak to the media, but only post 11.30pm. The brothers would come straight in from the airport for their interviews at a posh five-star hotel.

Cut to date: Their flight was postponed. When Salman landed at 11.15pm, he said he didn’t feel like giving interviews. We appreciate. He was suffering from jet lag, flying in a-l-l the way from Mumbai.

Were we astonished that he said no to interviews despite keeping journos waiting till that late? Not really! We would have been surprised if Salman Khan had kept his word to the media. That’s so not him!

KAREENA'S TREAT FOR HER FANS

2009 is a treat for Kareena Kapoor fans. After Kambakkht Ishq in July, the stunning leading lady has three releases back to back in the space of three months.

Compared to the bright Jab We Met and Kambakkht Ishq, all her roles are subdued, in the sense she does not talk a lot and yet conveys sufficient through her eyes and expressions. She is the only actress this year to have worked with all the prominent Khans of the industry (she had an item song with SRK in Billu).

Kareena looked really hot as a supermodel in Kambakkht Ishq. In Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna, which is out on October 16, the stunning star plays an urban wife to Salman Khan who has an affair with Sohail Khan. The actress adopted a voluptuous look in the film as she plays a Punjabi wife. The film has been shot in Australia and has been ready since a year. Director Prem Soni said, “Kareena is a very professional actress. Her chemistry with Salman was natural. She just moulds herself into the character. I had to work extra hard on my directorial skills to keep up with them so that I could explain the scenes to them properly.”

In Kurbaan, Kareena plays a simple Muslim girl from Delhi who marries Saif and moves to the US. There she discovers that he is a terrorist. Bebo has barely worn any make up in the film and looks absolutely magnificent. She didn’t practice Yoga or a strict diet to gain weight for the role of a plump Muslim girl. She and Saif have a few steamy scenes and the poster of the film is really bold for an A-grade Hindi film as it features a bare-backed Kareena with a topless Saif. The film will be out on November 27. Director Rensil D’silva said, ‘I couldn’t have asked for a better actress than Kareena. Her chemistry with Saif is sizzling.’

In 3 Idiots, Kareena finally shares screen space with Aamir Khan. The sizzling duo also has a lip-lock in the film that has been shot in Mumbai and Ladakh primarily. “Kareena plays Boman Irani’s daughter in the film. She is a medical student in love with Aamir. Though Aamir is the star of the film, Kareena has held her own. She is bubbly and demure at the same time. She has worn no make-up in the film and yet she looks completely stunning,” says a StarBoxOffice source on the sets of the film. Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots is Aamir’s Christmas present to Bollywood and his fans.

KAREENA PREPARING HARD FOR FILM WITH KAJOL

She is discovering how hard it is to play a normal girl.

Kareena Kapoor is leaving nothing to chance this time. Determined to match step with the terrifying scene-stealer Kajol in the Hindi version of "Stepmom", the actress has been quietly attending acting workshops with the film's director Siddharth Malhotra.

"The last time I rehearsed for a part was for Vishal Bharadwaj's 'Omkara'. But that was a more eccentric film and role where I had to get into a location and character I knew nothing about. But 'Stepmom' is urban and very modern. I play a very normal metro-centric working girl," Kareena told IANS.

Malhotra's film is inspired by director Chris Columbus 1998 hit drama "Stepmom", a heartwarming tale of two women - divorced Susan Sarandon and the new woman (Julia Roberts) in her ex-husband's life - and the problems they face to find a common ground of understanding.

And to attend the workshops, Kareena has been stealing time out of the rehearsals for a song she began shooting with Aamir Khan in "3 Idiots". Through the workshops Kareena is discovering how difficult it is to play a normal girl. "I walk, talk, dress like an common working girl. I'll be using no makeup."

Bollywood's ace designer Manish Malhotra too is having a hard time trying to bring down Kareena's glamour quotient in "Stepmom" to look like an ordinary working woman. "I couldn't cut my hair as planned because of continuity clashes. And I didn't want to cut my long hair. But I'm going for a new hairstyle," said Kareena.

The two actresses start shooting together from the end of this month.

Talking abour Kajol, Kareena said: "She's always been one of my favourite actresses. We worked together in 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham'. But this is something else."

There will be a lot of dramatic scenes between the two women in the movie.

"The desi version of 'Stepmom' is very different from the original. My role is also a big exodus from what Julia Roberts played in 'Stepmom'," Kareena said.

KAREENA-SALMAN ADORABLE COUPLE IN '...MRS.KHANNA', SAYS DIRECTOR

He is 43 and she is 29, but their age difference is no matter. Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor make an "adorable" couple on screen in his forthcoming "Main Aurr Mrs.Khanna", says debutant director Prem Soni.

"The age difference between Salman and Kareena was never a consideration. They make an totally adorable couple and complement each other on screen," Soni said over phone from Mumbai.

"They look good together in the film as there are no loud moments between them. The film has romantic instances here and there, but it has a very subtle treatment. There are cute scenes in the film and both of them have carried them really well," he added.

Newcomer Soni considers Salman his "godfather" and says the superstar was on board the project as soon as he heard the script and even asked his brother to produce the film.

"I had written the script and then fixed an meeting with Salman. His reaction after the narration was overwhelming. All he said was, 'I'm doing it'. That's how the project began," the director said.

"Salman is indeed my godfather in the industry as he is the one who has given me a break," he added.

For Soni, it was a cakewalk to get Kareena to play the heroine. "I went for the script narration to Kareena in Goa where she was shooting 'Golmaal Returns'. She loved the role and when I told her that Salman is doing the film, she said - 'Why would I say no to Salman?'. She instantly agreed," he said.

"Kareena is such a delight to work with. She is among the finest actors these days. She is so effervescent and as dedicated as an actor," he said.

A co-production of Sohail Khan Productions and UTV SpotBoy Pictures, the film also features Sohail in a pivotal role. But unlike popular belief, the film's plot is not based on an extramarital affair, Soni clarified.

"'Main Aurr Mrs.Khanna' is not based on an extramarital affair. It is just a story of three people. The whole extramarital thing is only a perception. For the real thing, you need to go and check out the movie," he said.

Asked about the USP of the movie, Soni said: "Its simplicity. The movie is very ordinary, very simple. It will touch a billion hearts with its real touch and that is what will make the story effective to the audience. We have given it a very contemporary look, but it isn't flashy at all."

"Main Aurr Mrs.Khanna" releases Oct 16, the same day as much-awaited action flick "Blue" and comedy "All The Best", but Soni says he is unperturbed.

"I have no apprehensions. It takes a lot of energy for every filmmaker to make a movie. So there are no hard feelings for anyone. May the best win because they are all of different genres and have their own set of audiences," he said.

KAREENA HAD A COUPLE OF SURPRISES ON HER BIRTHDAY

Kareena Kapoor had two great birthday surprises this year. The first was when Aamir Khan delayed their shoot for 3 Idiots from September 21 to 25 and then it got better when beau Saif Ali Khan flew in her mom and close friends to Udaipur where she was shooting for a magazine cover.

Last year too the actress was shooting on her birthday (September 21) for 3 Idiots. This year too, when the shooting was delayed, she accommodated and gave up her janam din date. When Aamir learnt about it, he requested Raj Kumar Hirani to postpone the shoot, ad let her have a free day.

Bebo was in Rajasthan on Saturday for a shoot and was to return later in the day. But that evening, Saif flew in and booked them into the Udai Vilas Palace Hotel.

Then on Sunday night, he surprised her further by flying in her best friend Reena, her designer Shabina Khan, some other close friends and her mom Babita to bring in her birthday.

Says a source close to the actress, "He had booked a suite and in true Saif style, he had it decorated it with candles, flowers and everything that she loves. Saif had recently taken her for a European holiday so Bebo wasn't expecting Saif to surprise her again, which he did!"

WISHING A SIZZLING BIRTHDAY TO BEBO

Had anyone anticipated that this ‘Refugee’ girl would ever grab the eyeballs? Or make men drool at her bootylicious figure? Or attract girls with her style and fashion? She first stepped into the screens with this movie – sans makeup, glamour and shine, with a chubby personality.

People, who were all-praise for her sister in those days, had hardly thought that she will ever make it big in Bollywood. And now look at Kareena Kapoor and you can see for yourself that turnaround in her. From being just another member of the well-known Kapoor clan to soon-expected-to-be bahu of Pataudis, Kareena is contentedly cushioned in the lap of Bollywood these days.

With ‘Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham’, Kareena showed what a Bebo she is proving what is she best at! Then came ‘Chameli’, another twist to her career, enriching her status and showing the audience that she can’t be only an arm-candy alone. Films like ‘Dev’, ‘Omkara’ too portrayed the brilliant actor within her, which reflects if given the right film. Her filmography will be incomplete if one forgets her as Geet. She successfully made this character to preside over everyone’s heart and thus won several awards hands down. ‘Jab We Met’ truly won audience due to this beauty’s bubbliness, complimenting the silent Shahid.

Then came a series of comedies, featuring this oomph gal and sadly you never got to see the substance from this actress. But one cannot stop expecting, for Kareena has ‘Main Aurr Mrs Khanna’, ‘Kurbaan’, ‘Three Idiots’, ‘Agent Vinod’ – where one can look forward to a different Bebo.

Today being her birthday, Kareena would have been busy with her work; shooting the remaining portions of Rajkumar Hirani’s ‘Three Idiots’ with Aamir. But thanks to her co-star, Bebo is happily away in Rajasthan with her beau Saif to celebrate. Sources said Aamir told Raju to postpone the shoot if need be, but let Kareena off to celebrate her birthday. Well, that’s a nice twist for the actress now!

We wish her all the success and best wishes for her future. Keep sizzling Bebo!

KAREENA AND PREITY GET GROOVING...

Preity Zinta shot for a song with Kareena Kapoor for Main Aur Mrs Khanna.

Now, there may be not anything new about two actresses sharing the screen space, but it was different this time around because both these ladies shared pretty cold vibes sometime back. It was Kal Ho Na Ho that had sparked of a war of words between the two. Though, there were no fireworks when the two shot for a song for the movie. In fact we hear Preity, who was down with high fever, declined to stall the shooting. On the sets the two got along fine and danced their hearts out.