Deepika's back in harness after walkout

STORM

The actress was apparently upset with the delays in shooting and had subsequently signed a big-banner south-Indian project starring Rajnikanth. Now, after producer Ramesh Taurani filed an official complaint against her, Padukone has returned to this eagerly awaited sequel that has Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham and Anil Kapoor in the lead roles.

NOT AMUSED

FILMMAKER Rohit Shetty is upset with some of Bollywood's leading actresses. Shetty, who directed the Golmaal series of hit movies and last year's blockbuster Singham, apparently was not amused when a host of actresses linked themselves to his eagerly awaited project, Chennai Express, which has Shahrukh Khan in the leading role. The actresses who have been hinting about a role in the movie are Kareena Kapoor, Asin and Deepika Padukone.

RETHINK

SEEMS like acclaimed filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi has to rethink his plans around the project Ladies and Gentlemen. The romantic comedy, which was meant to feature the husband-and-wife team of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, has been put on hold with no reasons given. Abhishek has also returned the upfront payment made by Santoshi, who apparently has now signed Sonam Kapoor for a new project.

NEW TEAM

THERE seems to be a new hit jodi (couple) in Bollywood. Akshay Kumar, who has delivered magic with the likes of Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif, has found a new friend and favourite co-star in Sonakshi Sinha. Kumar and Sinha will first be seen in Joker and then Rowdy Rathore. There is also talk that Sinha may land the plum female role opposite Kumar in the sequel to Once Upon a Time in Mumbai. Her other big project for the year is Dabangg 2.

THRILLER

VIJAY is likely to follow his film for Goutham Vasudeva Menon with a film for Santhosh Sivan, the director of the internationally-acclaimed Terrrorist and Before the Rains. Sivan is currently handling the cinematographer in the action thriller Thupaakki, which brings together Vijay and AR Murugadhaas for the first time.

PRAISE

RAJINIKANTH was full of praise for the first directorial effort of his daughter Aishwarya Dhanush in the film 3, but suggested that she change the climax. The film stars Dhanush opposite Sruthi Hassan and features the world-famous song, Why this Kolaveri-di.

TALKS

DHANUSH is likely to play the lead role in the next film of Saravanan, the director of the hit film Yengeyum Yeppodhum. Talks are currently under way with the project to be produced by Lingusamy's Thirupathy Brothers banner.

COMEBACK

NAYANATHARA has denied reports that she is to play a cameo role in Billa 2. After her break-up with Prabhu Deva, the actress has signed to play the female lead in Vishnu Vardhan's next film, which will be produced by AM Rathinam, also on the comeback trail.

UNDER WRAPS

ARJUN has verified that he will not be playing the villain in Manirathnam's next film, Kadal. He said that, according to his contract, he is not at liberty to talk about his role in the film. All he could reveal is that it is a role he has never played before. Aravind Swamy will also play an important role in Kadal.