Kareena's Rs 5-crore fizzy deal

Kareena Kapoor has apparently charged a record amount for her latest endorsement deal with a beverage brand

If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. That seems to be Bebo’s recent mantra. The actress has just signed on a whopping deal with a lemonade brand, giving archrival Katrina Kaif (who endorses a mango drink) a run for her money.

We learnt that Bebo, who was the face of another popular cola company, lost no time after her current contract expired and grabbed another endorsement deal from a rival brand for apparently a whopping Rs 5 crore.

Queen of endorsements

Says a source, “Kareena now has 16 brands in her kitty including the latest one, easily making her the most sought-after face in the ad space amongst the actresses. 2011 was the year of big money for Kareena, thanks to her back-to-back hits.”

Ever since she signed onto to Madhur Bhandarkar’s Heroine, the actress’s fat pay cheques have been grabbing headlines. She was apparently paid almost Rs 8 crore for the film, the highest for any actress in the Indian film space ever.

Clearly that has reflected on her choice of brands and the money she is charging for them as well. Adds the source, “Though Bebo has a lot of film commitments, she makes sure she gives enough time to her brands and hence charges as much.”

Kareena was also spotted shooting for her very first commercial with the brand a few days ago at Brabourne studio in Mumbai. Adds the source, “Both Katrina and Asin who endorse soft drinks have had ads that have gained a lot of popularity.

So Kareena and her team were insistent that the commercial must be catchy and entertaining.” All Kareena had to say is — “I am not allowed to talk money!”

Rate card per endorsement (approx)

Katrina Kaif
Rs 4-4.5 crore

Priyanka Chopra
Rs 3-3.5 crore

Deepika Padukone
Rs 2-3 crore

Madhuri Dixit
Rs 1-2 crore

Vidya Balan
Rs 1-1.5 crore

Anushka Sharma
Rs 80 lakh

Credit: Mid-Day.com

Priyanka-Aamir in Three Musketeers remake?

Author Alexandre Dumas' popular novel Three Musketeers is likely to be turned into a film in Hindi.

PVR Pictures is said to be in talks with Summit Entertainment, the distributors of Hollywood film The Three Musketeers, for the Hindi remake and reportedly they are considering Aamir Khan and Priyanka Chopra to play prominent roles.

"They are considering casting Aamir as the Duke of Buckingham and Priyanka as Milady de Winter, who is one of the antagonists in the film. But the actors to play three musketeers are still not known," the source told IANS.

Three Musketeers talks about Porthos, Athos and Aramis who served the king of France as his best musketeers. After discovering an evil conspiracy to overthrow the king, the musketeers come across a young, aspiring hero, D'Artagnan, and take him under their wing. Together, the four embark on a mission to bust the plot that not only threatens the crown, but the future of Europe itself. Source

Priyanka Chopra signs global album deal

Leading Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra has signed a deal to record her first music album and will be managed by the man behind US star Lady Gaga, according to music labels.

Universal Music Group and Desi Hits said in a statement on Friday that they had brokered a worldwide recording agreement with the 29 year old and she was already writing and recording the English language pop album.

Her foray into the global music scene, a first for a Hindi-language film star and a sign of an increasingly outward-looking trend in the industry will be overseen by Troy Carter, chief executive of LA-based Atom Factory.

Carter also manages Lady Gaga, the pop culture icon of hits like "Telephone", "Poker Face" and "Born This Way" who is known for her outlandish dress sense.

"It has been a long-cherished dream which is finally coming true. I am truly excited to have an opportunity to present my musical dimension on a world platform," Chopra said.

"This is a fascinating new experience for me and I am thoroughly enjoying the journey".

Desi Hits, set up in 2007 and with offices in New York, London and Mumbai, is a media and entertainment company that specialises in "east-west fusion" and is currently working on bringing Lady Gaga to India.

The company will release Chopra's album in North America through Interscope Geffen A and M Records, part of the Universal Music Group, and in international markets through Island Records UK, the companies said.

No indication was given of the size of the deal. (AFP)

Priyanka Chopra excited about Gaga’s concert

MUMBAI: International pop icon Lady Gaga is set to come to India on a three-city tour, much to the excitement of her many fans, including the Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra.

Priyanka is quite kicked about Gaga performing in Mumbai. In February this year, Priyanka had personally met Lady Gaga after attending her concert at the Madison Square Garden in New York. Priyanka had asked Lady Gaga to come to India.

Now that Priyanka’s wish is coming true, the actress is excited about meeting the singer.

Priyanka Chopra rivalry 'delays Barfee shoot'

Priyanka Chopra and Ileana D'Cruz have reportedly fallen out over the size of their roles in Barfee.

South Indian film star D'Cruz is making her Bollywood debut in the movie, which co-stars Ranbir Kapoor.

Speaking to Mumbai Mirrror, an insider said: "After seeing how powerful Priyanka's role is in Barfee, Ileana is being warned by her friends that she might be reduced to a has-been like Kangna Ranaut in Anurag Basu's Kites."

D'Cruz is reportedly worried that her role in the film will be cut out and has delayed shooting until the issue is sorted out.

Chopra took on the role of a girl with learning difficulties, while Cruz is playing a more conventional female lead in the movie, which is billed as a "romantic murder mystery".

Priyanka says will go back to TV

Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra has said that she would be back on the small screen in the future.

"I will go back to TV when the right opportunity presents itself and if I have the time in between my film commitments, which are my priority," Priyanka told Indian news agency.

"I have no regrets that I couldn't make it this year. I wanted to do something different last year and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi was presented to me. I had the time and I did it. This year I am very busy with shooting for five diverse films, which I am enjoying thoroughly," she added.

Priyanka Chopra gets 1m Twitter followers

Priyanka Chopra has become the first Bollywood star to get over a million followers on Twitter.

The Saat Khoon Maaf actress said that she feels connected to her fans through the use of social networking, IANS reports.

"Social networking is a great way to stay in touch with what's happening in the world, to understand what people are thinking, discussing, doing etc," she said. "It's also a great way to get real feedback about my work."

The 28-year-old added: "I feel very loved. I don't see it as some sort of feat that has been achieved... it's not about the numbers for me, it's about connecting with people from all over the globe, from all walks of life.

"I like to interact on these platforms and I'm just glad that I have such a large circle of people that I can connect with on a regular basis... with no-one in between."

Chopra paid a visit to Twitter headquarters in San Francisco last year while shooting in the US.

She is currently filming Karan Johar's Agneepath opposite Hrithik Roshan.

Priyanka Chopra's costume 'catches fire'

Priyanka Chopra's costume is said to have caught fire while filming a religious scene for current project Agneepath.

The actress was apparently uninjured by the incident, though the traditional Indian skirt she had been wearing was damaged, claims Mid Day.

A production source confirmed: "[Chopra]'s lehenga caught fire from the diyas of aarti and got burnt at the edges. She noticed it quickly and wasn't hurt, but had to change her lehenga and wear a new one."

Meanwhile, Chopra's co-star Hrithik Roshan is said to have injured his hand while filming with ceremonial lamps.

"During one rotation, one diya (lamp) toppled over, spilling hot oil on his hand [and] scalding it," the source explained.

Filming on the Karan Johar project was reportedly abandoned for the day.

Shooting on the Dharma Production film had been impacted last week by an on-set fight among extras working on the movie.

Priyanka Chopra is new face of Garnier

Global skincare leader Garnier has appointed actress Priyanka Chopra as the face of the new Garnier Skin Naturals range.

Chopra will be seen endorsing the Garnier Light Ultra Intense Fairness Moisturizer in print and television campaigns.

Richa Singh – Marketing Manager, Garnier India, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Priyanka Chopra; she is the face of the new Indian woman who is confident, versatile, discerning, and self made. She enjoys being herself, has a distinctive attitude and a unique style of her own, and believes she deserves the best which makes her a perfect fit for the brand.”

Talking of her association with Garnier, Chopra said, “Plain and simple, Garnier understands the Indian woman's skin. I am proud to be associated with a company that helps women enhance the way they look and feel about themselves by creating innovative beauty products that are inspired by nature.”

“Having personally used the new Garnier Light Ultra Intense Fairness Moisturizer over the past few months, I am absolutely convinced of its effectiveness in keeping my skin spot free, giving it a flawless glow. Garnier makes it very easy to 'Take Care' of your skin in the right way,” she said.

Priyanka Chopra's 'ex-boyfriends attend same party'

Shahid Kapoor and Harman Baweja are said to have avoided each other at a recent birthday party in Mumbai.

The actors, who have both been linked to former Miss World Priyanka Chopra, are said to have once been close friends, Mumbai Mirror reports.

A source told the tabloid: "Almost everybody was looking at them to see their reactions towards each other. One kept wondering if they would get into a conversation and, if so, what would transpire consequently."

Baweja, who appeared with Chopra in his debut film Love Story 2050, and What's Your Raashee?, recently commented on the star's developing relationship with her Kaminey co-star.

"It was hard to see her talk on the phone and text. I knew what was happening," said Baweja. "I just didn't want to see Kaminey.

"I thought I would be okay, but as the day kept coming nearer, it was all around and therefore harder to bear. I just booked tickets and left the country."

Chopra abandons 'Bride Wars'?

Priyanka Chopra may no longer be attached to the troubled Indian remake of Bride Wars.

The project has been reportedly delayed following Katrina Kaif's earlier decision to drop out of the project because Chopra was touted for the opposite role.

Director Shristi Aya told Mumbai Mirror: "That film is all up in the air now. After Manish passed away I have been trying to get a new director.

"He or she will be finalised in the next two weeks. So the film is definitely going to happen. Let things fall into place."

However, he added that Chopra's role is uncertain as she does not have gaps in her schedule for the "next two years".

Priyanka Chopra gets V-Day proposals galore!

When Priyanka Chopra went to the sets of "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa- 4" to shoot for the Valentine's Day special episode, little did she know she would end up getting proposed by all the male participants of the reality show.

While each male contestant popped the question in his own way, the only one to catch her attention was actress Mahii Vij's choreographer Savio.

Savio chose to propose to Priyanka in the signature Shah Rukh Khan style from his movie "Darr", and it hit bull's eye! Priyanka was quite floored and agreed to shake a leg with him on her famous dance number "Pehli baar mohabbat ki hai".

The V-Day special episode will be telecast on Sony Entertainment Television Tuesday.

Priyanka Chopra 'refuses kissing scene'

Priyanka Chopra has reportedly refused to film a kissing scene with Annu Kapoor in Saath Khoon Maaf.

The Fashion star felt that the age distance between her and Kapoor was too great, reports Hindustan Times.

Kapoor explained to the newspaper: "Priyanka had certain reservations. Her reasoning was that I'm her father's friend and quite elder to her."

The actress does however share a screen kiss with her former Dostana co-star John Abraham in the Vishal Bhardwaj project.
Speaking about Chopra's reservations, the actor said that as a professional actor it is important to deliver the best shot.

"I'm not bothered whether it's Priyanka Chopra or Meryl Streep," he added.  Enjoy the pictures of Priyanka Chopra

Who's Priyanka's husband?

He’s 50, big, roly-poly and as Malayali as aapam and ishtew; she’s 27, super-sexy and essentially a Bollywood hottie. But filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, India’s Quentin Tarantino, in his wisdom has case the two of them together in his ambitious film Seven. That Priyanka will have seven husbands in Seven, is known, but news of Mohanlal being one of them comes as a surprise. A source from Vishal’s office admitted that the Bollywood filmmaker had cast the Malayalam actor in such a role. And, to do so, Vishal had to spend two days in Kerala chasing Mohanlal whose fan following there is legion. The Southie heavyweight, who was seen in Bollywood in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company and Aag, finally approved of Vishal’s script. Now the filmmaker is left with the task of casting six more heroes all of who will be wedded in his film to the gorgeous Priyanka. But, after signing on Mohanlal — a four-time National Award winner — that should be easy for Vishal.

Priyanka's love scene got us 'A' Certificate

Madhur Bhandarkar is plain amused that his Fashion has got an adults-only certificate. Especially so since the kind of scenes for, which he was challenged have been quite common in his earlier films.For the uninitiated, when Fashion was presented to Censors for a certificate, they objected to a few scenes revolving around Priyanka-Arjan lovemaking and drug intake by Priyanka and Kangana for general viewing."They felt that these sequences should only be shown to the mature audience. This is why they gave Fashion an 'A' certificate. Their reasoning is that people below 18 years should not be exposed to scenes like these, especially the ones around drug intake, " informs Madhur Bhandarkar who just wants to move on with the promotion of the film while leaving this incident behind."I don't have time to fight the case. In any case, it has been a day in and night out job to meet the October 29 deadline.The last thing I want now is to get into any further hassles", says Madhur in an exasperated tone, "I did try reasoning with them if they could at the least give the film a U/A certificate but they said that they had their own guidelines to adhere to."But lovemaking or drug intake is nothing new in Madhur Bhandarkar films! Corporate featured an intimate scene between Bipasha Basu and Kay Kay Menon; Page 3 had an extended rave party sequence while in Traffic Signal Ranvir Shorey played the role of a young unemployed man who died on the streets due to excessive use of drugs."Search me, " Madhur can't hide his disappointment here, "I discussed the same logic with the Censors. My point was that where were these rules or guidelines when the aforementioned films were censored? They were not given an A certificate. Moreover, some of these films even went on to bag National Awards. Censor Board did say that there have been some changes in the years gone by but frankly, I am truly left clueless."Apparently, Censors were willing to give the film a U/A certificate provided he deleted the scenes from the film. Didn't he feel like accepting the offer so that he could cater to a larger segment of audience?"No, " says Madhur forthrightly, "The character graph would have gone for a complete toss had I knocked off these scenes. If I have to show someone going down the hill and loosing her way in her journey towards stardom, I have to showcase what went wrong. I have to show the fall of a protagonist through the bad habits that she has got into and for that, it is imperative that the scenes featuring drug usage, smoking etc. be retained. It is only after a fall like that the rise to glory would have made an impact."In fact, the Censor Board too suggested him to take the 'A' certificate while keeping the scenes intact."True, they believe that the film has been well made and have appreciated it quite a lot. Even they felt that Fashion would lose its essence if the scenes are cut from the movie just in order to cater to a larger audience. Its ok, I love my film too much and the kind of conviction I have made it with, I won't want to touch any frame. For me, it is realism that matters most and by touching my scenes just for some added percentage of commercial gain, I would have only ended up defeating the entire purpose, " signs off Madhur.