Masand: Gossip of the Week | May 30

Hedging Her Bets

Likely inspired by Amitabh Bachchan's unprecedented success on television with Kaun Banega Crorepati, and possibly encouraged by merely the anticipation for his soon- to-air fiction show directed by Anurag Kashyap, another Bachchan may be testing TV waters. No, it's not Abhishek or Aishwarya, but the senior Mrs B, Jaya Bachchan herself!

The Guddi star was reportedly in talks with a production company that offered her a starring role in a bold political drama. Centered on a single mother abandoned by her husband when she was young, the script charted the woman's growth into a powerful political player. Excited by the concept, Mrs Bachchan apparently committed to the project and agreed to meet the channel for further discussions.

But, a reliable source reveals, in her meeting with the channel, Mrs Bachchan decided she felt more comfortable sticking to a safer, tried-and-tested plotline, rather than experimenting with a full-blown political drama. The show's producers in turn were surprised and a little disheartened by her change of heart.

The show is still very much on, but it will now be a family saga featuring a single mother raising three children after being abandoned by her husband. There will still be a political subplot, but considerably watered down.

Deepika Dearest

Loyalty pays off, and Deepika Padukone is a living, breathing example of that. When Sanjay Leela Bhansali discussed Bajirao Mastani with her right after they'd finished making Ram-Leela, the actress committed to the project straight away, promising to adjust her other commitments to accommodate his film, whenever he decided he was ready to shoot.

Although Bhansali had a roller-coaster journey when it came to casting his male lead, he has remained firm in his resolve that Deepika and only Deepika would be his Mastani. He reportedly resisted overtures from Kareena Kapoor and at least two other actresses who were keen to nab the part.

Now that casting is locked"Ranveer Singh will play Bajirao, Deepika his younger second wife Mastani, while Priyanka Chopra might play his older wife"it is learnt that Deepika will be rewarded handsomely for sticking to Bhansali's project. Notorious for demanding that his stars take a pay cut in exchange for the opportunity to work with him, the filmmaker, in an unusually generous mood, has reportedly signed the actress at a whopping fee of Rs 8 crore. This possibly makes DP the highest paid female star right now, and one who can boast all the major projects currently in production"she toplines everything from Farah Khan's SRK-starrer Happy New Year and Imtiaz Ali's Ranbir Kapoor vehicle to Bhansali's passion project. The true test of her box-office clout, however, will come with September's Finding Fanny Fernandes, an English-language drama she filmed with Arjun Kapoor for her Cocktail director Homi Adajania. If Deepika can turn that niche film into a money- spinner, they'll probably just have to concede that she's got the Midas touch.

Who says ego issues and one-upmanship exist between superstars only? A talented young actor, recently in the spotlight for having won a major award, dropped in at the home of another powerhouse performer recently for a casual meeting. Both actors"very popular among filmmakers who make realistic, meaningful, modest-budget movies"even had small roles in the same star-driven thriller two years ago. If a list of the best actors currently working in the movies were to be drawn up, both gentlemen are likely to feature on it, the senior one occupying a higher place perhaps. But both men get along perfectly, insiders reveal, possibly because they aren't exactly positioned as rivals just yet.

As the younger actor was leaving his host's home after a friendly chat, the older actor took a quick glimpse at his ride, and was surprised to discover that his guest had an Audi Q7. Revealing a hint of envy, he reportedly said to his brother who was at his home at the time: "Main bhi leta hoon. Tu mera [Ford] Endeavor rakh le."

No confirmation yet on whetherhe did end up buying a new car, but enquiries were apparently being made immediately after.

https://www.openthemagazine.com/article/voices/hedging-her-bets