Why is it so that every second big budget film these days stars either Kareena Kapoor or Katrina Kaif? About a year ago,this platform had been noticeably broader,including Priyanka Chopra,Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,Priyanka Kapoor,Deepika Padukone and Kangna Ranaut. The rest of these names still maintain their positions as the top names of Bollywood,but have been left far behind by the leading Queen B's. Let's see why this is so: The 'heroines' The way Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are battling it out right at the top,one wishes that it stays so forever! With both ladies writing and rewriting records with their big-budget,over Rs 100 crore successes,its the top producers who are laughing all the way to the bank. While Kareena is gaga with the laurels she received from the success of '3 Idiots','Golmaal 3' and 'Bodyguard' in quick succession,Katrina knows she is on the dot,with a chartbuster item number like 'Sheila Ki Jawani' and the good run of 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' and 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' on the box office. She now needs a big budget hit like Kareena to reach to the top. Speaking of future projects,both the actresses have several films lined up with the Khans. ladies have scored the cream However,when it comes to getting the top projects,both Kareena as well as Katrina are pretty much neck to neck. Both of them are enjoying a piece of each of the Khans. In the bargain,Shah Rukh Khan ('Ra.One',an untitled film with Yash Chopra),Aamir Khan ('Dhuaan','Dhoom 3'),Salman Khan ('Bodyguard','Ek Tha Tiger') as well as Imran Khan ('Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu','Mere Brother Ki Dulhan') are enjoying the best of both worlds. Only Saif Ali Khan ('Agent Vinod') has placed his loyalities firmly with Kareena. Apart from these projects,Kareena has also signed on for 'Heroine' and 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2',meaning a jam-packed 2012 too. Who is the next in line? The obvious question here is - 'Who is the one R-E-A-L-L-Y challenging Ms. Kapoor and Ms. Kaif?' A year ago one could immediately point a finger towards Priyanka Chopra. After all she has been quite prolific right through her career and post 'Fashion' and 'Dostana',Priyanka was raring to turn Queen B. She had also received critical acclaim for 'Kaminey',even though it was a project tailor-made for Shahid Kapoor. However,she ran into rough weather soon after,with many of her projects failing at the box office. The disastrous turn of 'What's Your Raashee?' and 'Pyaar Impossible' was followed by an average ' Anjaana Anjaani'. Her next,'7 Khoon Maaf' sank without a trace too. Still,many have high hopes from Chopra,because of her lethal combination of looks and talent. She may still rise on the top five ladder,depending on the fortunes of her upcoming projects - 'Don 2','Agneepath','Barfee' and 'Teri Meri Kahani'. Ash's exit With Aishwarya Rai looking at motherhood,other leading ladies can breathe easy for one more year at the least. Of course things would have been a lot different had she been doing 'Heroine',since it was pretty much that solid hard hitting drama that would have put her back in the reckoning. The lady has had three flops in a row - 'Action Replayy','Guzaarish' and 'Raavan'. And with no new film on the horizon,she has certainly left a comfortable open field for top actresses like Kareena and Katrina. Meanwhile,Kangna is currently fighting it out for her own space. Though 'Rascals' has been a washout,in line with projects like 'No Problem','Game' and 'Knock Out',the success of 'Tanu Weds Manu' proved she has it in her to make it to the top. Ranaut has another chance with future projects like 'Miley Naa Miley Hum','Tezz','I Love New Year','Dedh Ishqiya' and 'Tanu Weds Manu Season 2' lined up. The new entrants Even though Vidya Balan was not considered a serious contender for the top position (despite 'Paa' and 'Ishqiya') a year ago,the response she has received to the upcoming 'The Dirty Picture' has changed the game for her. Of course with her persona and choice of films,one cannot expect a 'Bodyguard' or a 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' from her. However,if only she had a massive repertoire of films in her kitty,the lead role of Heroine could well have been served to her on a platter. On the other hand,Asin is enjoying her stint in Bollywood,after the success of 'Ghajini' and 'Ready'. Her next films include 'Bol Bachchan' and 'Housefull 2',ensuring that she would be the only actress other than Kareena Kapoor who would be scoring centuries whenever they would hit the field. Next-Gen superstars This is where competition intensifies between Deepika Padukone,Anushka Sharma,Sonakshi Sinha and Sonam Kapoor. Of course they won't replace Kareena or Katrina anytime soon,but they have what it takes to move up in the ladder.
