ALL IN THE FAMILY

Priyanka Chopra will play the lead in Jugal Hansraj’s next starring Uday Chopra. A source close to the actress said, “This film will mark Priyanka’s entry into the YRF banner. Priyanka’s career is going great guns currently. Fashion has been declared a hit and Dostana has fetched her fabulous response. Top of the line banners are approaching her with substantial roles. She has already been part of production houses like Film Kraft and Dharma Productions. So being a part of YRF Films is the next obvious move. Priyanka feels that doing a YRF film will
only boost her career further.”
Jugal wanted an actress who is popular among the masses. “Besides Priyanka, Kareena and Deepika had been approached too. But Kareena and Deepika are committed to projects that are going to hit the floors next year while Jugal wanted an actress who could allot bulk dates to his film. He strictly wants to follow the YRF diktat of working and completing the film in one or two schedules. Also Jugal wanted an actress who has a mass appeal and can entice the audience,” said our source.
Our source added, “Priyanka is currently busy with Ashutosh Gowarikar’s What’s Your Rashee and Vishal Bharadwaj’s Kaminay. She is being very particular about the films and the banners that she says yes to! YRF was an offer that she just could not turn down.” Monica Bhattacharya, YRF spokesperson did not deny the story but said, “Nothing has been decided as yet!”

THE KITE RUNNER

Hrithik Roshan Starring in “Kites”

After burning his hands with Krazzy 4,Rakesh Roshan is being extra cautious with his ambitious project Kites starring his son Hrithik Roshan, Kangana Ranaut and Spanish actress Barbara Mori. Recently, Rakesh showed the door to action director Dick Ziker (who has directed the action sequences for Speed 2) because Ziker’s work did not meet his expectations.
After a few days of shoot, Rakesh Roshan and director of Kites Anurag Basu took a joint decision that Ziker should be replaced. After firing Ziker, they got action director Spiro Razatos on board. Spiro has directed action scenes in Hollywood films like Vantage Pointand Bad Boys 2 and is currently working with Sajid Nadiadwala on Kambakht Ishq.
Anurag disliked Ziker’s work to such an extent that he had to reshoot all the scenes which the latter had worked on. Firing him was a creative decision.
This is not the first expulsion from the unit of Kites. It may be recalled that Rakesh Roshan had showed the door to cinematographer Bobby Singh as he was not happy with his work. Our source added, “Kites is Rakesh Roshan’s most ambitious project.He has never had a problem with budgets and this time is no different.”