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Yukta to debut opposite Abhishek?

Attend any Bollywood party these days and the one person you are sure to bump into is reigning Miss World Yukta Mookhey, thankfully, without the tiara and the elaborate hairdo! With an acute dearth of heroines, Yukta is one of the hottest candidates that every other noted film-maker is wooing.

Though everybody thinks Boney Kapoor has got her under an exclusive contract, it is not true. As and when Yukta hands her crown over to her successor, the hero whom she will sing duets with will be the one who matches her tall frame -- all of 5' 11" -- Abhishek Bachchan.

Yukta is definitely excited about being paired opposite Bachchan jr, only she cannot talk about it, lest she loses her crown due to this folly of hers. So till then, her lips are sealed and so are the producers'...

Karan Johar: finally at peace

As we reported earlier, Karan Johar is now in London, writing the script of his new film. He is finally at peace, for after a lot of heartaches and tension, Kajol has finally given her nod to his film. And so has Jaya Bachchan.

As for the heroine opposite Hrithik Roshan, Karan is not too worried. Every other actress is willing to drop everything to be cast in the film. And if there is still a problem, there is always the new girl looking for a break, sniggered Karan on the eve of his departure.

Kajol, the loyal wife

More on Kajol. Contrary to rumours, that Ajay Devgan is against her signing films with Shah Rukh Khan, it is the talented actress herself who decided to walk out of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas. You see, Kajol was one of the first choices for the role of Paro, the simple girl in the hero's life. But that was when Ajay was being considered to play the hero.

Something soured and before anyone knew what, Ajay was out and Shah Rukh was in. And that was what probably angered Kajol who just began ignoring Bhansali's calls. Her actions are a reaction, a protest of sorts for the treatment Sanjay L doled out to hubby dear.

Madhuri puts a price

While on Bhansali, is trouble brewing for him? Apparently yes, says the grapevine. According to sources close to the film-maker, he is worried about Madhuri Dixit's appearance in Pukar. Though she has tried to look her best, the camera has not been too kind to her. Age is definitely catching up with her and it is showing.

Besides, Madhuri has put in a condition that film-makers who wish to cast her, would have to pay for her airfare to and from Los Angeles. And that is one clause which has not gone down well with film folk. Even if they are keen to cast her, they are not exactly willing to bear the burden of such additional expenditure. Not when there are alternatives, and more saleable ones, available.

Santoshi keeps heroines guessing

This is not exactly the first time he has done it. We are talking about the merry dance that director Rajkumar Santoshi makes his heroines go through. Earlier, even though Meenakshi Seshadri had been signed up for Ghatak, he had kept Juhi Chawla on hold. Raveena Tandon too, had been dangled the bait. And now the director is doing the same with his new project, Lajjya.

While Tabu claims to be in the film, Madhuri has also gone to town talking about being the heroine of the film. Santoshi has promised to cast her, but at the same time, he has been having secret meetings with Aishwarya Rai and Karisma Kapoor. No wonder, all these heroines have been calling him up regularly. Santoshi, of course, is enjoying every minute of it.

Sridevi waiting for SRK's nod

News is filtering in that Sridevi has consented to act in Subhash Ghai's new film. But then, this is nothing but wishful thinking on the director's part. And it is as true as his hopes of producing her comeback film, reported earlier in this very column. It is true that Ghai did offer Sridevi the part of Kareena Kapoor's mother in Yaadein, but the lady is said to have declined.

If she is still young enough to play the heroine, why play the mother, argues a close aide of Boney Kapoor. Yes, confirm sources close to Boney, that the re-launch film is definitely on the cards, but only when Shah Rukh Khan gives his nod to essay the hero.

Rati on comeback trail

Though Dimple Kapadia was initially considered to play Rishi Kapoor's wife and Kajol's mother in director Rahul Rawail's new film, the role has now been bagged by Rishi's Tawaif heroine, Rati Agnihotri.

This will mark the comeback of Rati who had taken a sabbatical after her marriage to industrialist Anil Virmani. Rahul Rawail is quite happy with the selection, even though he was quite keen on getting the Bobby (and Saagar) pair together. But with Dimple back in Sunny Deol's life, it seems a remote possibility that she would even reconsider a career as an actress. For she has to be free, at Sunny's beck and call, right Dimple?

Phir bhi, we tried...

Must hand it to Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla. Though their maiden production venture, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, opened to a lukewarm response all over the country, they did not hide their faces in shame or sink into deep depression. Instead, they were busy jet-setting all over the country, promoting the film.

Good or bad, it is our baby, our production and we are proud of it -- was their stance and it gave them the confidence and pep to move from city to city, attending the special shows organised and meeting higher authorities for tax exemption. So what it they haven't met with much success, nor has the film's collections shown any great upward trend. At least we tried, they say. Shall we applaud Shah Rukh and Juhi for trying, at least?

-- The Insider