MASAND: Gossip of the Week...

Training the New Begum

Saif Ali Khan wasn't pleased that his girlfriend Kareena Kapoor was giving interviews and talking about "the sad time in our lives". The actress, of course, was referring to the recent passing of Saif's father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.

The chhote nawab is believed to have called up the publicist common to them and blasted her for not discouraging Kareena from speaking about such a private thing as death in what were essentially promotional interviews leading up to the release of her new film Ra.One.

Kareena herself reportedly got an earful from Saif for talking about his father's death to the press. When his mother and sisters had chosen to maintain a respectful silence, he reportedly told her, his girlfriend ought to have done the same.

Given the effort Katrina Kaif is putting into the marketing and promotions of her films, she's soon likely to be dubbed the female Aamir Khan of Bollywood. It turns out the actress called a meeting with the producers of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara just weeks after completing the film to enquire what their promotional strategies were going to involve.

Very surprised by her enthusiasm and her keenness to get involved, Ritesh Sidhwani apparently told her that they were still working on a few ideas, but assured her that they intended to go big on marketing and promotions. That's when the actress reportedly suggested organising a promotional road trip, which, she explained, would neatly tie in with the theme of the film. Sources say the producers responded positively, but didn't exactly jump out of their seats. To which Katrina insisted that

it was a terrific idea and they ought to seriously think about executing it at the earliest. When Ritesh explained that he'd need to ponder the logistics of the idea since it involved coordinating all the stars' dates, Katrina is believed to have turned impatient.

She apparently threatened to take the idea to Yash Raj Films, producers of her other film, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, if Ritesh and his team didn't begin working on it pronto. In the end, the cross-country road trip did become the centerpiece of the film's promotional campaign, and did indeed prove to be a clever strategy to get the film's stars to connect directly with their audience.

Unlike Kareena Kapoor, who producers complain has become increasingly unavailable when it comes to promoting her films, Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra are regarded as the most cooperative and proactive female stars on this score.

Nobody 'likes' committing a month or so to promoting a film and interacting with the press, but over the last two years, marketing has emerged a key factor in a film's success. It may be a dirty job—Ranbir Kapoor refers to it as "prostitution"—but it's got to be done.

A major A-list star, who has a big-budget movie coming up for release shortly, is nursing a grudge against his leading lady. He graciously worked around the shooting schedule of his film so that she could accommodate two significant films opposite two of his rivals, but as a result of this, his own film has suffered.

The actress returned to complete his film so late in its production schedule that special effects work and post-production of those portions had to be speeded up at the eleventh hour. As a result, the star feels that while most part of the film is looking wholesome and impressive (because it was completed on schedule), some portions look rushed—because they are.

Apparently he's feeling betrayed that she didn't show the same grace to him by trying her utmost to finish his film in time. But given that she's an old friend, the actor hasn't confronted her about how he feels.

However, he has told close pals that in the future, he'd rather work with co-stars who'll be fully committed while working with him. He also recognises his own fault in this mess—no more concessions towards friends doing other films at the same time as his.

The chhote nawab is believed to have called up the publicist common to them and blasted her for not discouraging Kareena from speaking about such a private thing as death in what were essentially promotional interviews leading up to the release of her new film Ra.One.