Fizz-ah!

After the disastrous box-office fate of Asoka and the lacklustre response to the chemistry between Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor, it14...

After the disastrous box-office fate of Asoka and the lacklustre response to the chemistry between Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor, it8217;s no surprise that not too many filmmakers seem too keen to sign them up together. But both ardent admirers of each other8217;s talent, the two have been looking for a vehicle to get together on. Shah Rukh being the genius that he is, has found the perfect solution. For the forthcoming Pepsi commercial which his company Arclights Films has been commissioned to produce, Shah Rukh asked good friend choreographer Farah Khan to come aboard as director, and put together a concept where both Pepsi ambassadors Shah Rukh and Kareena would be required. Joining them is Adnan Sami. Watch the three of them take merry gondola rides down the lovely waters of Venice in the ad8230;

Fast Friends?

The other night, while shooting for his Dum, Vivek Oberoi had a surprise visitor in fellow Ramgopal Varma-discovery, Aftab Shivdasani. The Mast boy wonder hugged Vivek tightly and told him how much he loved his performance in Company, although he didn8217;t think too much of the film. After exchanging pleasantries, Aftab went off with friends for a couple of drinks at a nearby night-spot. And while returning home, he stopped at famous milk-shake joint Bachelors to pack a portion of watermelon juice, with which he went right back to Vivek8217;s shoot. Apparently, the Company boy was fasting, and the thoughtful Aftab decided to bring Vivek the one drink he couldn8217;t refuse.

Business Partners

Contrary to what was reported in this space last week, it seems that the only thing brewing between film actress Raveena Tandon and builder Prakash Khubchandani are business ideas. Along with actor Sunil Shetty and producer Priti Sinha, Tandon and Khubchandani have floated a company which will be involved in film production. The rumour which made its way into our pages last week has caused both inconvenience and embarrassment to the persons involved, and the same is regretted. Meanwhile, we wait with bated breath to see what kind of films the company will bring to the silver screen.

Sush in a Replay

There was much excitement when Mahesh Manjrekar announced that Madhuri Dixit would play the lead in the English version of his Astitva. Tabu was out because Manjrekar believed she couldn8217;t better her performance in the original. After pondering for over a year, Dixit, we learn, has backed out of her commitment. Sources say the actress felt the film would not work for overseas audiences as infidelity isn8217;t a novel subject abroad. Now, Manjrekar has reportedly roped in Sushmita Sen for the part.

Phoren Goods!

While shooting for Anupam Kher8217;s directorial debut Om Jai Jagdish in Pune recently, the men on the set Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Abhishek Bachchan felt completely inadequate as their female co-stars Mahima Chaudhary, Urmila Matondkar, Tara Sharma went gushing over a bunch of phirangs tanning themselves at the same resort. The ladies couldn8217;t stop staring at the chiselled hunks, and the three male actors made their disgust quite obvious. Meanwhile the phirangs in question enjoyed every moment of the attention they were receiving.

I, Me, Mine

More on Om Jai Jagdish. If the Bollywood grapevine is to be believed, producer Vashu Bhagnani is very miffed with Anil Kapoor. Bhagnani8217;s grouse is that Anil Kapoor has delayed his film considerably, opting instead to concentrate on his own home production Badhai Ho Badhai. Although Bhagnani hasn8217;t expressed his displeasure to the actor much of the film remains to be shot, he has told close friends that in future he will stay away from actors who have their own productions in progress.

Nagging Doubt

Has Vivek Oberoi replaced Hrithik as the 8216;superstar8217;?

Amisha Patel: 8216;8216;I believe every actor can make it to the top given the right director and a fair amount of luck. I haven8217;t seen Company, but from from the trailers, he seems promising. I can8217;t say if he8217;s overtaken Hrithik, as it8217;s not fair to compare two actors.8217;8217;

Karan Johar: 8216;8216;I feel Vivek Oberoi has tremendous screen presence, but it8217;s not fair to compare him to Hrithik Roshan. Hrithik is a superstar, and Vivek has just arrived.8217;8217;

Madhur Bhandarkar: 8216;8216;It8217;s too early to judge Vivek and compare him to anyone else. Let8217;s give him two more releases and we8217;ll talk then8230;8217;8217;

Manmohan Shetty: 8216;8216;I think Vivek has performed very well. It8217;s not necessary to compare him to Hrithik Roshan. On his own, he8217;s very good.8217;8217;