Saif with Natalie Portman!

As Agent Vinod,s he got to zip around the world in sharp suits and sharper shoes. The box office response notwithstanding, it seems to have whetted his appetite for globetrotting adventure.

During a telephonic exchange with this newspaper, Saif Ali Khan let it slip that he will be seen with Academy award winner Natalie Portman in his next, a romance. The actor messaged, "A love story we are working on... It's a secret...We are doing a film with Natalie Portman."

As far as formulas go, Saif, in an earlier interview to this newspaper had admitted that he was happy with the response to Cocktail, and would not mind replicating it. Perhaps which is why he has decided to stick to what he does best - romance.

And trying to rope in an actress who won the Oscar for her performance in Black Swan last year may just prove beneficial. However, when we prodded, he chose to remain mum about details of his project. In fact, he did not even divulge whether the film will be a Hollywood production or made under his home banner.

Though Saif did say one thing. He rubbished all rumours about Diana Penty being cast in his next home production.

Meanwhile...

Not October 16, it's a beach wedding in December

Yesterday this newspaper told you how Saif and beau Kareena Kapoor have called off their October 16 wedding. Looks like, they wanted a beach wedding with close friends instead. Saif confirmed and said: "And the wedding is in Maldives...100 people...December not October!"

Apparently, the actors wish to keep it a low-key affair with only a handful of close friends attending it apart from family. Perhaps this is also a way to avoid the unwanted attention showered by the media.