Heroine-centric roles are back in Bollywood

Kareena Kapoor did not bluff us when she said that her role in Bodyguard was as significant as the male protagonists. Last weekend, Katrina Kaif proved in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan that she can carry off the burden of a movie on her own shoulders without the need of an established hero. Playing a mad yet endearing extrovert, Katrina went a notch above by smoking and drinking Bhang without battling an eyelid.

In The Dirty Picture, Vidya Balan sheds all her inhibitions and some clothes to play a sensuous South Indian actress. Her bold avatar in the promos of The Dirty Picture is the talk of town. She will be seen romancing Naseerudin Shah, Emraan Hashmi and Tusshar Kapoor in a film that has her as the central character.  December 2, the release date of the film might be far, but people are eagerly awaiting to see Vidya in her hottest and boldest characters ever!

Then comes Heroine where Kareena Kapoor takes back her role that briefly landed in Aishwarya’s kitty. Get ready for another behind-the-scenes flick about Bollywood as Kareena prepares to play the role of a successful actress and her various affairs in the film industry. Ladies and gentlemen, it seems that Bollywood has finally rediscovered the level of importance actresses ought to be given in commercial films.

The trend, where the hero is the whole and soul of a film, is finally diminishing as we see more prominence given to actresses as opposed to merely doing four songs and a few forgettable scenes. Interestingly, they are not resorted to art films to prove their mettle anymore. There is more to the Bollywood actress now; be it in action, comedy or unconventional roles, the lead actress makes her presence felt.

AMITABH BACHCHAN TO GO HOLLYWOOD FOR FREE

Nope, he hasn’t packed his bags and gone off to LA. Good friend Laura Walubengo called me late last week to ask if I knew about Amitabh Bachchan doing a Hollywood flick. Pap! She sent a story and I was amazed at this cool chick who looks like such a tough cookie but has a passion for Bollywood and cries when watching My Name is Khan. Love you, Laura.

So, word is that Big B has accepted his first ever cross-over flick, at the age of 68. He is playing a gambler in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. It's a small role, merely a scene and interestingly, Bachchan sir has done it all at no cost! This year has not been that great for him what with Buddha Hoga Tera Baap and Aarakshan not exactly taking the box office by storm and apart from a couple of flicks, he has just the TV show Koun Banega Crorepati to keep him busy. This Hollywood venture is a milestone in its own right and we hope that it's a promise to many bigger Hollywood flicks.

KATRINA KAIF’S NEW ITEM NUMBER

First, she agreed to do the Munni Badnaam Hui song for the South Indian remake of Dabangg for millions of shillings. Now, Katrina Kaif will also do an item number for the Agneepath remake which stars Hrithik Roshan and Sanjay Dutt. Apparently, she will be dancing with Sanjay Dutt for the song which will have similarities with the ‘Jhuma Chuma De De’ song from Hum.

After Sheila Ki Jawani, Katrina Kaif has established herself as quite a dancing diva. However, her rival, Priyanka Chopra, is yet to discover that dancing does wonders for an actress’ career. Apparently, she refused to jiggy for a song in Saif Ali Khan’s production, Agent Vinod. Was she avoiding another run-in with Kareena Kapoor, the lead actress of the flick? Your guess is as good as mine.

IN THE WEEK GONE BY

You can say a prayer of relief. Salman Khan is hale and hearty and shooting for Ek Tha Tiger with Katrina Kaif in Dubai. Word is that after Bodyguard, Salman Khan has Kick, Ek Tha Tiger as well as Dabangg 2 and his diary is full for the next two years.
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Bipasha Basu admitted that she is ‘getting to know Shahid now.’ Why Bips? Have you seen Shahid’s track record? Kareena, Vidya, Sania, Priyanka and now you too? Just picturing Bipasha and Shahid together in my mind, and Shahid looks like a dwarf next to.... Eiffel Tower!
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Meanwhile, Bipasha’s ex-boyfriend continues to get more ‘eligible’ as days go by. He was recently voted as ‘India’s sexiest bachelor’ recently. He beat Saif Ali Khan, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Ranbir Kapoor and, even Shahid Kapoor in the contest.

RANDOM CELEBRITY QUOTES

Sonali Bendre said, “I genuinely like doing reality shows.” Yes my dear, because nobody will give you a ‘comeback’ opportunity in Bollywood, right? Priyanka Chopra said, “I love dressing according to the script.” Yeah babe, we saw how atrocious you were in Anjaana Anjaani.