Katrina.. not Bebo with Shahid!

By Subhash K Jha

Whatever the truth about the status of the Shahid- Kareena relationship, the one truth about Shahid's career is clearly perceptible in his choice of heroines.

The lament, "There're not too many suitable leading ladies for me" no longer seems to hold true for Shahid.

After the ready-for-release Jab We Met with Kareena, it's Aziz Mirza's Lucky Charm with Vidya Balan, and then a straight-from-the-heart love story for Shahid.

And this time his leading lady is Katrina Kaif.

The prolific and passionate Raj Kumar Santoshi who has decided to bring together the untried pair is currently in the pre-production stage of this romantic quickie.

Says Raj, "I haven't done a simple love story before. Most of my films have been very intense and searching. I just wanted to see what it felt like to direct a boy-meets-girl story. Now that my Ajay Devgan-Vidya Balan starrer Halla Bol is ready."

Shahid is an actor Raj wanted to work with for a while. He earlier planned to bring Shahid and his father Pankaj Kapoor together in a comedy. But has now decided to go ahead with the love story instead. "He's got what it takes. And I know Shahid is capable of great intensity in a romance."

The untitled film hits the floors in early November. "I hope to complete the film by the end of the year."

Raj's next release is Halla Bol featuring Ajay Devgan and Vidya Balan. "It's my take on an actor's conscience and its awakening. But it isn't preachy or solemn.I've tried to keep the message as entertaining as possible."

The versatile director's much-discussed Ramayan project with Ajay Devgan as Rama, Kajol as Sita, Riteish Deshmukh as Laxman ad Prakash Raj as Ravan has been pushed to the end of 2008.