VIDYA VS RANI
Is there a war brewing between the two actors?
Meena Iyer
Familiarity always breeds contempt. Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan who kissed each other on the lips during the promotion of No One killed Jessica; who chatted like magpies in Bengali (yes 'Bidya' speaks impeccable Bengali); who constantly raised a toast to each other's talent during the making and the promotion of the film, are now reportedly locked in war. Reason: They inadvertently find themselves being offered the same roles.
Here's the backdrop: Yes sources indicate that Rani who was terrific as the firebrand journalist in NOKJ was confident that she would walk away with equal accolades to Vidya. However, that was not to be. When the nominations poured in this award season, Rani found herself being nominated in the supporting actress category; while Vidya who played the subdued Sabrina Lal in NOKJ found herself nominated in the lead actor category.
Rani candidly communicated her displeasure at being nominated in the supporting actress category to all the media persons who called to invite her for the award shows. She also politely declined all invitations. In fact her trophy was picked up in absentia by Vidya!
But there's a twist to the tale. In all fairness both Rani and Vidya got equal opportunities to capitalise on NOKJ. Rani bagged Talaash opposite Aamir Khan, Vidya signed The Dirty Picture. However, The Dirty Picture made it to the winning post much faster than Talaash and if that wasn't enough, Vidya managed a hat trick with Kahaani; while the release of Talaash has been postponed twice over.
But the real war cropped up when Rani and Vidya found themselves being considered for the same roles.
Trade sources say that Raj Kumar Gupta was tempted to choose between Rani and Vidya for his upcoming f i l m Ghanchakkar because he has said on record, "Both Rani and Vidya are very talented.'' However in the case of Ghanchakkar, Gupta says, "I wanted only Vidya for the role. I waited eight months for her to revert.''
But not everyone is Gupta. News is that Tigmanshu Dhulia, the Paan Singh Tomar maker, initially approached Vidya for his Begum Samru. Our source says, "Vidya reportedly kept him dangling saying she hadn't had time to read the script. So Tigmanshu approached Rani. A section of the media went to town with the news that Rani was in the Paan Singh Tomar filmmaker's next project. When Vidya heard that the same script that was offered to her was also offered to Rani, she was apparently miffed.''
When asked whether this bit of information is correct, Tigmanshu said, "I'm not planning a film with either of Rani or Vidya at this point. Both Rani and Vidya are brilliant actresses. But in all honesty nothing is confirmed about my doing a project with either of them now.''
Vidya apparently is on holiday. However, her spokesperson called to say she is not aware of any animosity between Rani and Vidya. She said. "I think they have hardly met after NOKJ." Rani didn't comment at least till the time of going to press.
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