Kareena Kapoor, the once childish tantrum prone actress has grown up to become a classy trendsetter in the industry. From the overbearing and outlandishly dressed Poo of Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham she has graduated to an acting powerhouse with Jab We Met and has put the beauty queens to shame with her ‘size zero’ figure in Tashan. With her every move traced by paparazzi, Kareena is a superstar in the truest sense of word. A muse for many a fashion designer, this Kapoor kudi would rather die than be seen in filp-flops as its only YSL or Christian Louboutin for her, and if it has to be a slipper then it is from Hermes and they are meant to be worn at home!

Leading the pack Kareena has set herself apart from the rat race with her elite looks in films too…

Yeh Ishq Hai- Jab We Met
Kareena was at her romantic best in this colorful song and her Swiss sheepherder dress of flowing red skirt with white top and black jacket became a hot favorite among young girls. Many along with Shahid Kapoor wanted to be led away to heavenly bliss by this innocent shepherd.

But as all fairytales come to an end, with Jab We Met too, her romance with long time beau Shahid ended on a bitter note. The news of this high profile break-up became a national conversation; with every channel counseling Kareena on how to heal her broken heart.

Dil Haara- Tashan
Kareena rocked this song, with her size zero body she wafted through the imagination of Saif in a folk inspired red and green strapless blouse and ghagras. In the song, this hip chick was seen romancing Chote Nawab Saif Ali Khan on reel that soon translated into reality with Saif tattooing her name on his forearm!

Chaliya- Tashan
Her sexy-bitch act in this song won over audience’s heart. Kareena had moved over Shahid. The media who were thrown in frenzy got into an overdrive and coined the couple ‘Saifeena’. Kareena meanwhile kept stumping Saif by coming out of the sea in a green bikini and kept the rumor-mills and Saif running behind her!

Meow- Golmaal Returns
A catty man-eater who makes no two bones about leading her men on a chain! Kareena could have never gone cattier than that, the cheetah print dress was more of a power statement rather than a style statement. The dominatrix became a hot favorite among club goers as Kareena gave an elite touch to a wild cat leotard.

Tha-Tha Kar ke- Golmaal Returns
Sweet, sexy biker babe who shouldn’t be messed with, Kareena effortlessly made hot pants and short skirts the flavor of the season. Her sexy lean legs inspired many a women to jump on the treadmill and get going on those oh! so cute! pink shorts. Overshadowing her co-actress, Kareena became the trademark of the film.

Tu Saala- Golmaal Returns
Don’t mess with this house-lady, or else she will tell you who’s the man! Kareena played the forever nagging wife who keeps a strict eye on her man. Looking every bit of a suspecting wife Kareena threatens her hubby with ‘tu saala Kaam se gaya’ that became a club favorite.

Marjaani- Billu
This Punjabi kudi scorched the screen as she teamed up with none other than King Khan for an item number. The song was a super hit, while other actresses’ chose to don mini skirts and dresses for item numbers, she chose long tresses, curls and Arabic look to match up to her wild sense of dressing. Her Thumkas and look in his foot tapping number was lapped by a nation struck by Bebo mania.

Om Mangalam- Kambakkht Ishq
She looked like a million bucks in the Indian and catholic bride avatar and the song got hotter with the sizzling chemistry between her and Akshay ‘action’ Kumar. Though the movie bombed at box-office, her numbers of on-screen kisses with Akki and the sequence with Sylvester Stallone were hot topic for every tabloid. She gave Hollywood beauties a run for their money with her sexy cocktail dresses, elegant gowns and hot chick make-up

Bebo- Kambakkht Ishq
Kareena is so celebrated that even her nickname is famous in households! Lovingly called ‘Bebo’ by her near and dear ones she has also got a song Bebo to her credit. The song has her seducing Akshay Kumar wearing sparkling pink short dress. She mesmerized the audience with her charisma and men lost their heart to her. Sported a black bikini she yet again made men drool over her luscious frame.

Mrs. Khanna- Main Aurr Mrs Khanna
Mrs. Khanna aka Kareena played wife to hunk Salman in the film Main Aurr Mrs Khanna, the title track saw Kareena portraying a modern wife with traditional values who is troubled by funny Sohail Khan. ‘Don’t say alvida’ song shot on her and Salman was an instant hit and this romantic track had her playing a shy and calm girl, her range of acting was wonderfully explored. She looked every bit of a diva in the dazzling green saree in the item song ‘Happening’.

Shukran Allah- Kurbaan
Kareena has raised many eyebrows with her ethnic look in this soulful song where her beautiful eyes do all the talking. Her on-screen romantic chemistry with beau Saif Ali Khan is much talked about as the two are to be seen sizzling together in intimate scenes. The steamy love-making scenes have already become the talk of the town.

Kurbaan Hua- Kurbaan
The title track of movie ‘Kurbaan’ has mainly Saif Ali Khan in it and Kareena has not shot for it, but considering her Star value her presence could not to be ignored from this stylish promotional video.

“The bad thing about good times is that they don’t last. But the good thing about bad times is that they don’t last either,” a morose-looking Mr. Khanna (Salman Khan) philosophises to his wife (Kareena Kapoor) at the beginning of the film and to those of us who are in the cinema hall playing Main Aur Mrs. Khanna probably because of some ominous change in planetary positions or a misconceived notion that this is some sort of a romantic comedy.

Alas, this ‘Bura Waqt’ spares no one.

Salman Khan, Sohail Khan, Bappi Lahiri and Yash Tonk in a serious film? They got to be kidding, right?

Unfortunately, no. The joke is on us.

“What? Sohail Khan is the Main of Main aur Mrs? Not Salman?” a friend shrieked in horror. Behind us, a bunch of girls couldn’t help but observe “This is too much” when an exaggerated orchestral score gives company to a teary-eyed Kareena Kapoor, left behind at the airport after Salman Khan flies out to Singapore with a mysteriously cast Dino Morea (It’s never quite explained what he’s doing in this film or maybe, his ‘bura waqt’ has forced him to take up this assignment as an Extra).

Mr. Khanna looks stoned throughout the film and it seems like Salman has also had some fun dubbing the eating noises into a serious dinner table conversation. Apparently, Sallu is some sort of a stock-broker in Melbourne who’s gone broke after causing markets to crash. Whoa!

Because of financial instability, he tries to ship his wife back to Delhi to stay with his folks and leaves for Singapore to get his career back on track. But Mrs. Khanna has other plans.

She decides to stay back in Melbourne and wait for him to return.

What would the torturous Saawariya be without Ranbir Kapoor, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ravi K Chandran or the surreal sets or the haunting score? Main aur Mrs. Khanna makes you wish it at least followed Saawariya’s basic plot about the girl being torn and confused between the two men, one of them being Salman (as in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam earlier).

The makers would like us to believe that Aakash (Sohail) is the rebound guy except that Mrs. Khanna doesn’t see him as anything more than a friend.

Here, though she keeps leading him on, going out with him for dinners and New Year’s Eve dates in the sexiest of designerwear and has no problem sharing her bedroom with him, we are reminded that Mrs. Khanna is not confused or vulnerable for a moment. Even when she’s drunk, she can’t stop talking about her husband.

Salman is not even remotely as inaccessible as he was in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam or in Saawariya that there would be distance between him and his wife. The couple here does not see a foreign trip as separation. Yet, the makers and the support cast of this film want us to believe that they are going through turbulent times and somehow make us feel sorry for er creepy Aakash who’s trying to steal a married woman from her husband? Aakash tries to hook up Mr. Khanna with an item girl (Preity Zinta) and plots to make sure the couple does not share a bed.

Yes, all of this sounds funny except for the fact that everyone in the film looks like they are at a funeral.

The only good thing, like Sallu told us, was that bad times don’t last. Main Aur Mrs Khanna resolves a non-issue in less than two hours.

But yes, the two hours feel like a lifetime spent with the stoned and the creepy.

Main Aur Mrs. Khanna

Genre: Drama

Director: Prem Soni

Cast: Sohail Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Salman Khan, Bappi Lahiri, Yash Tonk

Storyline: A bartender at the airport cafe falls in love with a married woman separated from her husband and guides her through tough times

Bottomline: Tough times don’t last, tough people do. How tough are you?

The director was blown away by the professionalism of his lead stars Salman and Kareena and couldn’t help but stop raving about their acting prowess and effort in taking the film to an all new level. However he adds that if not for Sohail, the film would have been incomplete, he explains, “I cannot imagine anybody else but Sohail playing the part of Aakash, he bring life to his character and film and has performed to the best of his abilities. While Salman, Kareena are the stars of my film, Sohail shines throughout. I hope the audiences relate to the characters of my film and identify with each one of them.”

Sohail has been receiving quite a lot of attention from critics nowadays and his performance in Kissan was appreciated by many. Sohail grows with each film and here’s hoping the hidden star in MAMK shines his way into the hearts of the audiences.

The R.D. Burman revival rage seems no sign of waning. In Kaminey, Vishal Bhardwaj has used two RD-Asha Bhosle tracks Duniya mein logon ko and Do labzon ki hai yeh dil ki kahani.

And now in Sohail Khan’s production of Main Aur Mrs Khanna, R.D.Burman’s Bade achche lagte hain makes a vital appearance and mainly because the word ‘Raina’ plays a prominent part in the song….Bade achche lamge hain yeh dharti yeh nadiya yeh raina aur tum…..

Kareena Kapoor’s character in Main Aur Mrs Khanna is named Raina.

The film required a strong nostalgic theme song between Kareena and Sohail to create a sense of intimacy between the couple. And since the Amit Kumar’s song from Shakti Samanta’s Balika Badhu was everyone’s favourite, Bade achche lage hain became the chosen one in Main Aur Mrs Khanna, overriding the other popular choice Raina beeti jaye also from a Shakti Samanta film(Amar Prem),

Says Sohail, “It’s a song that we all chose unanimously. It comes on when my character meets Kareena. When we meet, the song plays in the background. Since her character is named Raina we loved the idea of having the song.”

Interestingly Sohail Khan’s other production Kissan also revives an old song Mere desh ki dharti.

But there’s a difference. Explains Sohail, “While Mere deshi ki dharti is part of the film’s soundtrack we won’t put Bade achche lagte hain in the album for Main Aur Mrs Khanna. Though we’ve legitimately bought the rights for the song. Let’s just say, we mean it to be a tribute to R.D, Burman and the tradition in Hindi lyrics celebrating raina (night).”

Salman Khan arranged a helicopter lift for Kareena Kapoor when she was running late for another film shoot elsewhere.

The Kambaqt Ishq actress is simultaneously shooting the domestic drama Main Aurr Mrs Khanna with Khan.

A crew member told The Times of India: “When anybody is a part of Sohail Khan Productions, Salman Khan takes full care of the actor.

“The artiste is under his wings… Kareena had to reach another important shoot that day but did not know what to do.”

Maine Aurr Mrs Khanna is a joint venture between UTV SpotBoy Pictures and Salman Khan’s brother’s production company, Sohail Khan Productions.

The source added: “Salman instantly made arrangements for a chopper for her. It was thanks to his timely arrangement that Kareena could make it on time for the other shoot.”

Three people, each having different aspirations from life, are caught in a tangle of emotions and don’t know the way out. There’s a husband and wife with love eroding from their life. And there’s a single, happy-go-lucky dude who falls in love with the wife.

Main Aur Mrs Khanna promises an emotional roller-coaster ride into the world of these three characters. Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Sohail Khan play the respective roles. Supporting roles are played by Govinda, Bappi Lahiri, Yash Tonk, Nauheed Cyrusi and Mahek Chhal.

The film is jointly produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Sohail Khan. It’s directed by Prem R Soni.

Character Sketches

Salman Khan as Samir
Traditional to the core, he hates the thought of his wife going to work. For he staunchly believes that it’s the man’s duty to be the primary bread earner of the family. He also feels success and wealth are two main things to lead a beautiful life.

Kareena Kapoor as Raina
Brought up in an orphanage she thirsts for love and finds it in Samir. Her belief in their love never wavers for she knows that’s it’s not money but love, loyalty and support that makes life beautiful.

Sohail Khan as Akash
Boisterous and flirty, he’s the kind who falls in love every minute. Till he meets Raina, and knows this time it’s for real and wants it to be forever. And for him, it’s friendship, laughter and freedom is what makes life beautiful.

Synopsis

An international airport is an unmatched location for human drama. As planes arrive and take off, so do people carrying their baggage of emotions, tensions and unresolved conflicts.

Our three protagonists – Raina, Samir and Akash – are three such people whose lives entwine at an international airport. Here the three find themselves in transit – at the crossroads of life where each has to make a decision that will change their lives forever…

Samir (Salman Khan) has to decide whether he wants to stay in the same city that gave him so much and then took away everything…or fly away to a new city…a new life. Raina (Kareena Kapoor) has to decide whether her love and loyalty for her husband, who left her to peruse success is more justified, than her faith and trust in her new found friend Akash. Akash (Sohail Khan) has to decide whether what he feels for a married woman is lust or true love…and whether he’s justified in trying to win her at all costs…even at the cost of her marriage.

Three people coming to terms with their conflicting feelings, personal and psychological problems and the overriding emotion – LOVE….set against the hustle and bustle of an international airport.

‘Main Aur Mrs Khanna’ also has a special appearance by Preity Zinta. The film has music by Salman’s favourite composer duo Sajid-Wajid

The film is slated to release on October 16, 2009.

The music launch of UTV and Sohail Khan Production’s ‘Main Aurr Mrs Khanna’ was held recently at Novatel, Juhu. The film’s cast and crew, Salman Khan, Sohail Khan and Kareena Kapoor, along with Bappi Lahiri, music directors Sajid-Wajid and director Prem Soni launched the music of this much-awaited romantic comedy. The much talked about movie is all set to sizzle on screen on October 16th. The event started off with Prem Soni hosting the event followed by the screening of the songs, and interactions with the media. Kareena Kapoor dazzled in her purple dress and as usual Salman and Sohail looked at their best. Elaborating about her bond with the Khan family Kareena said that her sister Karisma has always been close to Salman. They have been family friends for years and that’s an important reason why she chose to do the film. The role is one she hasn’t done before and her character represents today’s strong thinking woman. When the script was narrated to her she knew she wanted to play the role.

Speaking to the media and guests, Salman entertained the media with his funny one-liners at the launch event. Salman said he was very happy that the movie has shaped up very well and was flattered by the way Prem Soni had directed it. Salman had words of praises for Kareena Kapoor and Sohail Khan on their acting abilities. ‘ Main Aur Mrs Khanna’ marks the debut of Bappi Lahiri as an actor. Sohail Khan who is a producer and an actor in the movie said, “He is very happy that UTV has trusted the project and invested on the project. He always enjoys working with Salman bhai and with Kareena Kapoor. They have as usual given a brilliant performance in the movie. ‘Main Aur Mrs Khanna’ has already generated a lot of curiosity amongst the trade pundits and the audience. The evening was rounded off with Bappida singing two lines of his evergreen number, “Pyar karte karte hum tum kahin kho jaayenge, inhi baharon mein aapas main lipat kar so jaayenge. Phir laut aayenge tum yuhi bulate rehana. Kabhi alvida na kehna.”….

Salman Khan once again plays the knight in the shining armor for a lady in distress. When the actor found that his co-star in Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna, Kareena Kapoor, was running late for her next shooting he immediately chipped in to make a chopper available to the actress so that she could reach the shooting spot on time.

Main Aurr Mrs. Khanna, a joint venture of Sohail Khan Productions and UTV SpotBoy Pictures, stars Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the lead roles. Sources say that Salman treats the entire star cast, who are a part of his brother’s production house with utmost care and that was the reason for his magnanimity towards Kareena.

After Imitiaz Ali’s Jab We Met in which she played the loveable and vibrant Geet, Kareena Kapoor has gained quite a higher position in the industry in terms of acclaim. Although she was choosy prior to JWM, it seems that Bebo is now being even more thorough in her selection process.

Recent news in the matter is that Sohail Khan approached her for his home production in which Salman Khan and him were to star with her, and Kareena’s reply to the offer was that she’d agree to it if only her role was completely rewritten to make it far more substantial than it originally was. Sohail followed madam’s orders and delivered a more than satisfactory role to Kareena. The film is now titled Main Aur Mrs Khanna and is being produced by Ronnie Screwala in association with Sohail Khan. Speaking to Mid-Day about the film and her role in particular, Kareena stated that the film is a girl’s story despite Salman and Sohail having important roles alongside her.

Speaking about roles being specifically written for her, Kareena replied saying that beau Saif Ali Khan’s newly established production house may be writing such roles for her because Saif is forever asking her what kind of characters she’d like to play. She jumps at the question and says that she’d love to do a Mamma Mia! and is in fact a huge fan of Meryl Streep, making a point to catch all her films. Another role she’d love to do is one from Mother India although the frivolous actress is very much in doubt about the possibility of getting such beautiful scripts in today’s day and age.

She continued to talk about her roles and selection process by saying that her criteria for selection was always quite tough and clear to makers. Bebo even went on to say that she has particular interest in roles that people would assume she cannot do such as that in Chameli and Omkara.

Well, Bebo, we wish you all the best in this quest for your dream roles and we wish all the directors aspiring to sign you even more luck so that they can blow you away with the roles in mind! Watch out for the specially re-written role for Bebo exclusively in Main Aur Mrs Khanna, slated for release 3rd July this year!

SAYS the fashion diva just elected the only woman in Filmfare’s Top 10 Power List, “It’s an exciting phase in my life when so many things rushed down on me at the same time. The last year was a turning-point in my life. But the end-result is happy. Both professionally and emotionally, I think I’ve come out a winner. I’ve tried to be as dignified about my personal life as possible. As for my work, God has been kind.”

Is it just luck or hard work? “It’s not just luck for sure. I’ve worked really hard to get here. It’s my perseverance that has got me where I am. And I owe my success to no one but myself.”

She adds, “There’s absolutely no room for negativity in my life. I only have place for people who are positive and who make me happy by sharing in my happiness. This is the best phase in my life. And I feel I’m in a place where I’ve never been before. As an actor, I feel everyone and that includes me, expects things from me that are not generally expected from Bollywood actresses except maybe a Kajol. Or my sister Karisma.”

What about Saif? “He’s extremely loving and supportive. He knows how long it’s taken me to get the work that I’m getting now. In fact, the best phase of my career started when Saif came into my life. Now, he’s enjoying this phase in my life along with me. The only thing I miss is time with my family and Saif.”

Contrary to belief, Kareena and Saif are giving each other a lot of space professionally. “We’re offered a lot of endorsements. But we’re not doing any except a shampoo brand. But we’ll soon be signing on for endorsements. And we’re doing another film for Ashtavinayak. We want it to be a fast and furious action film. Something larger-than-life.”

Saif, says Kareena proudly, has become an integral part of the Kapoor household. “My mother adores Saif. So does my father. And my sister Karisma and her husband Sanjay are also very close to Saif. We go out as one big family when we can. But that’s rare.” It would be a falsification of facts to say Kareena is as close to Saif ‘s family as he is to hers. “We don’t get that much time to visit his family. But I get along very well with them.”

Apparently, Kareena is the first woman in Saif’s life that his parents approve of. Laughs the future bahu of the Khan-dan, “I don’t know about that. But I feel warm vibes from Saif ‘s family. His mom (Sharmila Tagore) and my mom were colleagues. So there’s a bonding.”

Kareena’s mother Babita gave up acting completely after marriage. Was it because actresses don’t get worthwhile roles after marriage? Kareena protests passionately. “But you forget, Saif ‘s mom had a fantastic innings after marriage. So, this myth collapses. Look at Aishwarya. She’s doing her best work after marriage. When I get married, I certainly will continue acting.”

Kareena laughs off the observation that she has changed as a person. “I’m the same. It’s just that I’m so busy. I’ve been working constantly. There are a dozen things demanding my attention. I get 300 SMS-es a day. I can’t answer them personally. I’m a lucky girl. I’m offered a film a day. I don’t have time to read scripts. I’ll do so after finishing my current lot which includes Karan Johar’s film with Saif.”

With success, comes its darker side. “He never complains about the lack of time between us. He knows this is the best time of my career. After Jab We Met, the roles are getting much more interesting. Saif is extremely supportive. Besides, he’s very busy himself. So we snatch whatever time we get.”

Kareena says she has no time for anything besides work. “I’ve no time for family or friends or even for love. Even the few hours that I have between schedules, I use to shoot for endorsements, or whatever. So, yes, this is the most rewarding time of my life. But I miss time with my mom, sister and niece. Normally a Bollywood actress does about 40 days’ work for a film. My directors are talking about a hundred days. I’ve given Karan a hundred days for his film, to be directed by Rensil d’Silva. I’m so excited about this film.”

Any regrets about missing out on Madhur Bhandarkar’s Page 3 and now Fashion? “I saw Fashion. And liked it. But no regrets. I’m no stranger to heroine-oriented films. I did Jab We Met recently, remember? I’d love to do slightly offbeat films like Chameli and Omkara. And I’m doing Raj Kumar Hirani’s film, which is definitely not run-of-the-mill.”

Incidentally, she has been paid a whopping Rs 6 crores for the ad with Nikhil Advani. I ask Kareena what she intends to do with this kind of money, and she jokes, “Buy myself a home in Greece.”

One director she’s eager to work with is Nishikant Kamath. Says Kareena, “Soha (Saif’s sister) worked with him in Mumbai Meri Jaan. And she has been recommending him. I’d love to work with Nishikant if he writes something for me.”

Soha and Kareena have become really close friends. They discuss cinema and filmmakers and everything except Saif. “I find Soha very cool and classy and get along very well with her,” says Kareena enthusiastically.

Kareena has moved into her own home. “But I spend most of my time in the studio. So, I’ve no time to enjoy my new home. It’s still be done up. But we’ve moved in.”

Talk veers to Deepika Padukone who is seeing Kareena’s star- cousin Ranbir. “I’m so happy for them. I hope they’ll be happy together. It feels so nice to have another Kapoor from my generation doing so well. He was fantastic in Saawariya. He’s here to stay. I feel a sense of pride and belonging for him. The Kapoors and Khans are rocking the industry.”