KATRINA & RANBIR in Hindi Remake of Magadheera

Off screen lovers Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif will be seen in the Hindi remake of 2009 South super hit Magadheera. Rajamouli, who directed the original Telugu version, will work on the remake as well and Madhu Mantena will produce it with Allu Arvind.

Ranbir will play the lead role, essayed by Ram Charan in the original. Similarly, Katrina will essay the role Kajal Agrawal played.

Apparently, Ranbir will have to undergo rigorous physical training to get in shape for this film, much like Aamir did for Ghajini. A source said, "Ranbir has got a detailed brief on how he needs to make his body match the role he will play."

But the casting procedure was a very tough one, we are told. Our source said, "It has been an uphill task for Madhu Mantena to finalise the cast of the film.

Madhu wanted Aamir to do the film but after watching the original, Aamir met with the director at his residence and politely refused.

Madhu also spoke to Hrithik Roshan and Shahid Kapoor for the film but they were also not keen to do it."

Refusal did not dampen Madhu's spirits though. The makers were apparently very clear that they wanted a big star in the film, as it is a big-budget film spanning two eras.

You wonder how Ranbir agreed to do the film. Madhu and Ranbir developed a good rapport especially after Ranbir signed up with Madhu's brand management company.

Katrina, they say, spoke to Allu Arvind, co-producer of the Hindi and will be signing on the dotted line soon.

This will be the first film that the off screen couple will act in since they started dating each other during Rajneeti. They had acted together in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani earlier.

When contacted, Katrina denied signing the film but Madhu Mantena simply said, "We will let you know when actors are signed."