3 April 2008 It isn't just film producers who are vying for Ranbir. Apparently the actor is also being offered big budget endorsement deals ....
MAKE HAY while the sun shines is Ranbir Kapoor's mantra, with big budget producers from YashRaj Films to Aamir Khan all vying for a piece of Ranbir, the Kapoor grandson has hiked his price to Rs. 5 crores per film. With this Ranbir has become the highest paid newcomer in the industry.
Ranbir who is presently working in YashRaj Film's Bachna Ae Haseeno, directed by Siddharth Anand, has also been offered a film by Aamir Khan's production house and will also be seen in yet another YashRaj Film with Katrina Kaif. Ranbir has also replaced current hottie Shahid Kapoor in a Raj Kumar Santoshi directed film for Tips for which he has apparently been paid Rs. 4 Crores following which he hiked his price to Rs. 5 Crores.
An extremely reliable trade source reveals, "Rajkumar Santoshi shares a good relationship with Ranbir's father Rishi because the two worked together in Damini many years ago. Sensing that Rishi's son is hot property, Santoshi planned a meeting with Ranbir at his house and locked the actor for his film. Santoshi apparently offered to pay Ranbir four crores for this film, the highest a newcomer has been paid till date." The source goes on to add "with producers willing to sign him at any cost Ranbir has probably decided to hike his price. He does not want to do any and every film that comes his way. He plans to be very selective about the films he does. He is not into signing any and every film that comes his way. He has a very astute mother to guide him. And ask he comes from a wealthy background he feels secure enough to take his time mulling over scripts."
When we quizzed Ranbir about his price hike the actor replied, "As of now I'm only working in YashRaj's Bachna Ae Haseeno. I have been offered a few other films but I've not as yet committed to any of them." The young actor is also not making himself easily available to the media either. He wants to remain elusive. He's got the right attitude.
It isn't just film producers who are vying for Ranbir. Apparently the actor is also being offered big budget endorsement deals. Ranbir who recently played a non-profit football match impressed the FIFA (International Federation of Association Football), so much that they are now planning to sign him as their ambassador in India for Rs. 10 crores. Previously John Abraham was being considered by the FIFA but the trade buzz is Ranbir could walk away with this deal because FIFA is looking for a youth icon to promote football in India and Ranbir being the youngest, hottest, promising star fits the bill. Besides, Ranbir was also an avid football player during his school days.
While his professional life is only rising, on the personal front the actor seems to be following in the steps of cousin Kareena. Like Bebo, Ranbir isn't shy about his love life and has been flaunting girlfriend Deepika Padukone around town.
This young couple stole the limelight from the talented fashion designers and models at the recent Lakme India Fashion Week where Ranbir walked the ramp and blew a kiss at Deepika, sending the photographers into a total frenzy.
While Ranbir is laughing his way to the bank the same cannot be said about his once-upon-a-time good friend and Saawariya co-star Sonam Kapoor. Sonam did try her best to impress in Saawariya but Bollywood just hasn't warmed up to her as much as it has accepted Ranbir.
The only film that Sonam has is Rakyesh Mehra's Dilli 6 alongside Abhishek Bachchan. During the shooting of Saawariya, it was reported that Sonam and Ranbir were seeing each other but both of them denied the rumours and maintained that they were just good friends. But with Ranbir's public acknowledgement of Deepika we wonder the status of his friendship with Sonam? As Deepika and Sonam aren't exactly the best of friends.
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