Why Priyanka refused Kabir Khan's film

From the start Kabir Khan has been wanting his New York leading lady Katrina Kaif in his film opposite Salman Khan.

However, Aditya Chopra and even the hero, Salman, were considering Priyanka Chopra for the female lead. It is said that Salman is ready to grant Adi 120 days to film the thriller. However, he also wanted PC to give 120 days. Salman's funda is simple. He films at a certain pace; he cannot be hurried. And in the interest of the film and his way of functioning, Salman wanted Priyanka to be present on set whenever he was there.

Since he didn't want the usually over-committed PC to cite date hassles later, he asked Kabir to get 120 days from the heroine. However when PC heard this, she apparently threw a fit. She was keen to do the movie with Sallu, but she didn't want to give 120 days to the film; or sit on the set twiddling her thumbs when Salman arrived late. So she opted out and Kat who is very keen to do a movie with Salman volunteered to toe the line and offered her services.

All his terms and conditions are acceptable to Kat is what our source says.

(TOI)

Kabir Khan is chasing Salman

Director Kabir wants Salman Khan for his next film with Yash Raj.
PSST! If Sallu says yes, this will be his first film with YRF

Kabir Khan is pursuing Salman Khan for his next Yash Raj Films project. The New York director has expressed keen interest in working with Sallu for his next, a romantic drama.

Apart from Kabir, Aditya Chopra, too, has been sending feelers to the actor to accept the film. This would be SK's first Yash Raj film if he agrees to be a part of it.

Dabangg factor

A source remarks on the development, "Dabangg's success is one of the main reasons for the banner pursuing Salman.

Initially, the director was thinking of casting John Abraham as the main lead, but after Sallu's flick became a smash hit, he decided the Dabangg actor would be a better draw."

The source adds that this isn't the first time SK has been approached for a Yash Raj film. He has been made several offers in the past, but none of them worked out.

"The star has never worked with Aditya Chopra, a slose friend of arch rival Shah Rukh Khan. Before signing the film, Sallu wants to be sure the team is all on the same page, creatively. Kabir has told the star that he can't see anyone else playing the part."

The YRF spokesperson didn't deny the development, adding, "YRF is in conversation with various artistes for our forthcoming slate of films.

We will make our announcements shortly after finalising everything. Till then, all this is mere conjecture."

Kat to work with Kabir

Kabir Khan, the director who made the hit New York with Katrina Kaif may work with her again. New York had given Katrina a much needed platform to show her skills as an actress. She received critical acclaim for her performance.

The film was a success at the box office as well. Recently, the director and his muse were spotted having dinner at a plush joint in Andheri, a suburb of Mumbai. An eyewitness revealed, “Katrina Kaif and Kabir Khan were engrossed in a discussion. The actress looked absolutely gorgeous in a black top and blue jeans, hair pulled back in a ponytail with no make-up, while Kabir was casually dressed. From their body language, it was obvious that Kabir and Kats share a warm rapport and they looked very comfortable with each other as they chatted away.”

Interestingly, Ayaan Mukherjee, the director of Wake Up Sid, was seated close by. When Katrina spotted him, she rushed to him and pulled his cheeks. After that, the three of them got together and chatted away like old friends.

Can we hope that all this camaraderie will bring on another good performance from Katrina?

Budget blues: Yash Raj tells Kabir Khan to drop epic film

The budget crunch has eaten into one of the biggest production houses in the entertainment industry. According to well-placed sources close to Yash Raj Films, the banner which had till recently a reputation for an unbroken string of hits has now after setbacks like Dil Bole Hadippa, Rocket Singh Salesman Of The Year and Pyaar Impossible instructed its roster of directors to shoot within reasonable budgets.

And financially impractical projects are a strict no-no. This, Kabir Khan discovered when after New York he decided to make a lavish big-budget epic. Initially, Aditya Chopra the Yash Raj scion was enthusiastic about the novel idea and gave Kabir a cart-blanche...

But as the script evolved it became clear to the producers that Kabir Khan's epic would be one of the most expensive films in the history of Yash Raj.

Aditya Chopra sat Kabir down for a meeting and calmly told him the epic project was not working.

Admits Kabir, "Yes I've abandoned my earlier script. This was a subject I had with me from even before I made my first feature film Kabul Express. You can say it's my dream project. And my dream is now on hold."

Kabir confirms that Aditya Chopra asked him to work on another more financially feasible subject. "After working on the earlier script for several months, I'm writing a new script. It's more of a fun film than New York. It is definitely not about global terrorism this time. I've said whatever I have had to on that subject. But a socio-political undercurrent can't be too far away from what I do."

As for Kabir's dream project, he hasn't given up on it. "That's the film I became a feature-director for. I won't give it up."

(Bollywood Hungama)

Kabir Khan ready with his next script after New York with similar subject

New York is still running at a theatre near you but director Kabir Khan is already thinking about his next big project.

Talking about his next project Kabir says, "I have two script ideas ready with me. Both the ideas are completely different from each other."

Same feel

When asked if the projects will revolve around the subject of terror, like his precious films Kabul Express and New York, Khan says, "Well, yes, one of the stories has the same feel as my previous films. I think it will be difficult for me to stray away and attempt something totally different. My films will always have a backdrop against which the characters will be set."

When asked if he will ever attempt a romantic comedy? "Well the other script just might be a rom-com. As I said both the scripts have solid setting and background which I think has become a trademark of my films." Will we see John Abraham in his third film as well?

He says,"Why not? If the script demands a character like John then I definitely will work with him. But just because I have worked with him in my previous film doesn't mean that I will repeat him again. Yash Raj gives me such a wonderful choice of actors to work with. So I don't really have issues with casting. Once Adi and I lock the script I will decide my cast."

The director is leaving for Malaysia on a five-day short vacation to join wife Mini Mathur who is stationed there for a TV show, "Once I get back, I will meet Adi and finalise which of the two scripts I can begin." This will be the director's first break after the release of New York.

(Mid Day)