The younger Chopra bags a film opposite PC’s ex!

Priyanka Chopra might be at the top of her game but she is facing competition from the place she would have least expected – her own home! Rumour has it that PC isn’t exactly pleased with the way her younger cousin Parineeti has become the toast of the town after her act in ‘Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl’ and the promos of the much-awaited ‘Ishqzaade’ opposite Arjun Kapoor. Apparently, the young lady has bagged yet another big project in the Yash Raj camp with none other than Shahid Kapoor! 

The film will go on the floors soon and buzz is that this news hasn’t gone down well with Priyanka who has reasons to be upset. One, she has never been a Yash Raj girl despite her years in the industry. Apart from the flop ‘Pyaar Impossible’, Bollywood’s foremost production house hasn’t considered her for any film. However, what perhaps is irking her the most is that Parineeti’s next film is opposite her ex boyfriend Shahid who allegedly isn’t showing much interest in Priyanka either. Insiders say he is recommending Bipasha’s name for Siddharth Anand’s official remake of the Tom Cruise starrer Knight and Day!
Though on the surface all seems well between the cousins, there’s definitely cause for concern. Parineeti recently joked “I feel inferior when standing next to my shapely cousin (Priyanka).” And PC came back with, “I will slap her and throw her into the gym right away!” But besides the superficial camaraderie, Priyanka campers insist that she’s fuming about her cousin’s YRF coup!

'No one is my buddy in Bollywood'

Even after completing a decade in the industry, actress Bipasha Basu says she has no close friends in Bollywood

The 33-year-old actress says she has her own reservations when it comes to approaching a filmmaker for a role. 

"If I meet someone at a function, I do say hello. I am cordial to all. However, I can't pick up the phone next morning and propose to plan a film together. A lot of this is also due to the fact that no one is my buddy in Bollywood.

I know that for some out there this does count. Nothing wrong with that but then that's just not me," Bipasha said. "On my speed dial, there is no one from the industry. When a role is offered and it is good enough then I do that. Otherwise I wait for the next right opportunity," she added. 
However, in the cut throat competition that prevails in Bollywood, doesn't she feel that she could be losing out on movies? "Possibly, but then as I said, it's a conscious call. I haven't created such equations because I am not comfortable doing that. I can't see myself saying that 'Hey, we are friends so give me a role in your film.' "I am friends with people around me but not friendly enough to start bargaining with them or emotionally blackmail them. Ultimately it's a good film that counts and when that comes to me, I give it a go ahead. It is as simple as that," said Bipasha. 
After 'Players', her 'Jodi Breakers' hasn't succeeded either but Bipasha defends her decision to work with director Ashwini Chaudhary. 

"I trusted Ashwini's sensibilities when I met him. As for critical acclaim and commercial gains, it is futile to discuss that. Sometimes really bad films get a lot of critical acclaim while really good films are not watched by many. It is sheer bad luck that results in the downfall of certain films," she explained. 

However, it wasn't just the luck factor that played spoilsports with 'Players'. The film just didn't manage to find an audience despite being well promoted. "Everyone knows that it was a very expensive film to pull through. As much as we would have wanted, it would have been difficult to recover the costs involved. Also the timing of the film went wrong. We may have had a fair chance if we would have come at some other time. Reality is that it didn't do well so no excuses there," she said."It is impractical to release a film immediately after the New Years weekend. People get back to work after an extended holiday season and can't be expected to step into theatres soon enough," Bipasha further added. She is happy with some takeaways from both her films."I managed to step into a different zone with 'Jodi Breakers' and audience saw a different side of my persona there. On the other hand in case of 'Players' when people were so harsh on the film as well as other people involved, I got some good reviews. That was heartening enough," she signed off.

First look out: Pooja Bhatt's Jism 2

Bhatt might be announcing from rooftops that Sunny Leone is the lead for Jism 2, but his daughter Pooja Bhatt, the director of the film says that she hasn't yet finalised the glamorous pornstar for the film.

"I ain't letting my secret out. There's quite a bit of speculation about Sunny Leone and Bipasha being part of the film, but I haven't finalised the name yet. Hopefully, we'll be able to make an official announcement soon. But we had a positive meeting with Sunny," Pooja informed TOI.

The lady seen in the first look of Jism 2 is not necessarily Leone. "We must not forget that Jism doesn't really depend on the face. It's a brand name that works. It is sensual as opposed to Murder, which was sexual," Pooja was quoted by the daily as saying.

Pooja denies Rahul Bhatt was ever considered for the role.

Jism 2 is a sequel to the 2003 release which starred Bipasha Basu and John Abraham in the lead.

Sunny Leone on Jism 2

"I am really excited about my Bollywood debut. I am honoured to get an opportunity of working with Mahesh Bhatt."