KAMBAKKHT STARS

Rani Mukerji was once the most sought-after actress in B-town. Then a string of flops followed. This slump was written in her stars.

Rani was undergoing an adverse period for two years which will end on September 9. At first, Dil Bole Hadippa, keeping in mind its Desiflavour was to be released in August or early September. Then Aditya Chopra got wind of Rani’s period of bad luck due to which the date was shifted to September 18.

Dil Bole Hadippa can easily be called Rani’s most important film. It is her first release in over a year and her last was Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna in 2006.

A string of flops like Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Ta Ra Rum Pum, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic followed. She was also criticized for her weight gain.

So important is Dil Bole Hadippa, which Rani has gone on a weight-loss spree, losing 10 kilos and has also adopted a glamourous avatar for a few songs in the film. Along with that, she has also dressed and acted like a cricket-playing Sardar in the film.

She and Aditya took a personal interest in the making of the film and they re-shot portions they were not happy with.

Hopes are pinned high on Shahid’s fan-following, fans of Rani who were waiting for her comeback and the music and promos of the film to push people to see the film.

We just hope Rani’s stars don’t play spoil sport and shine in her favour as officially, she doesn’t have any other movie after this as she only works with YRF and Dharma.

ANUSHKA SHARMA WANTS TO END YRF FLICK TO BREAK FREE OF HER CONTRACT

Anushka Sharma is at the moment shooting for Parmeet Sethi's yet untitled directorial debut opposite Shahid Kapoor. This is her second film with Yash Raj Films after Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. She has signed a limited three-film contract with YRF, which prohibits her from signing any films with other banners.

Sources disclose that Anushka is getting restless and wants the contract to end soon so she can take on more work.

Shahid and Anushka are presently shooting in Hyderabad. Parmeet is making sure there are no delays at all with the shoot. In a closed door meeting with the director, the actress expressed her desire to wrap up the schedule for this movie as soon as possible."

After the Hyderabad schedule, the unit shifts to the US. Says an insider, "Parmeet plans to finish the film without any break. It also works for Anushka, who plans to get straight into her third and final film with the banner, as soon as this one wraps."

Anushka was approached by a few directors but she couldn't sign any films as she was bound by the contract.

When contacted, her spokesperson said, "Anushka is happy with her Yashraj contract. She is free to do films outside the banner. She dislikes talking about projects that are in the pipeline and will talk about them when they hit the floor."

VIDYA TO WORK IN A YASH RAJ FILM, LASTLY

It’s been third time lucky for them

Vidya Balan had discarded an offer from Yash Raj Films on two occurrence in the past, for some reason or the other. But it’s been third time lucky for them, with Vidya accepting their latest offer.

After “Parineeta”, Vidya was on a high. At that time YRF approached her for “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom”, but she turned down the role, which ultimately went to Lara Dutta.

YRF again approached her for “Laaga Chunri Mein Daag”, but Vidya wasn’t interested in picking up the offer too.

This did not go down well with production house and decided to never cast Vidya again in their movies.

But a long time gap has in fact mended the differences and made YRF change its decision.

Now, Vidya has again been asked to be part of a Yash Raj film and this time she has acknowledged. In fact, she received a call not from Adi Chopra but from Yash Chopra himself.

The two are, however, tight-lipped about the venture.