The Hero in "Heroine"

Till now Arunoday Singh has done only small films, but he got noticed in every one of them. So, it didn’t come as a surprise for us to know that he is the hunk who will romance Bollywood diva Aishwarya Rai in the much-hyped movie Heroine.

With this confirmation, the speculations have come to an end. Aishwarya gets her hero, and it’s not Abhishek Bachchan as many had expected. Apart from Arunoday Singh, Arjun Rampal is also a part of the film which will be directed by Madhur Bhandrakar.

So, what worked in Arunoday’s favour? He is good-looking, tall and incredibly handsome, someone who can match up with Aishwarya’s pristine beauty.

As per sources, Arunoday was confirmed after much deliberation. According to a source, “Madhur wanted to finish the casting of his film Heroine since the film was announced at Cannes sometime back. However, after much thought, Arunoday Singh has been roped in for the film…”

While talking to a daily, Arunoday himself confirmed the news and said that he is excited about the film and about working with Aishwarya, but can’t disclose much about the project. Sources further claim that Arunoday will play a cricketer who has an affair with a top actress.

Aishwarya in Madhur's "Heroine"

Madhur Bhandarkar didn’t let his dream wash away. His ambitious project "Heroine" will roll soon and that too with Aishwarya Rai in lead. Now, the director can’t stop counting his blessings.

Finally "Heroine" gets its actress. This much-awaited project was riding high on buzz courtesy Kareena Kapoor. Bebo first said yes to the film and later said no. The speculations were rife that the story of "Heroine" resembles her real love story with Saif Ali Khan and also her character required to do steamy scenes in the film, something that was not acceptable to the actress.

After Kareena walked out from the film, Madhur approached Aishwarya with the script. But Ash too had apprehensions about it. So, Madhur decided to work again on his script. The director confesses that he has now ‘structured’ the script keeping Ash in mind.

Madhur regrets not having Kareena, his original choice, in the film but has now moved on. The director reveals, “I feel it is jinxed for me to think of Kareena doing any of my films, as due to some or the other reason, it never materialises.” Kareena was also his first choice for Page 3 and Fashion.

The announcement of "Heroine" will be made in Cannes, says Aishwarya Rai, who will start shooting for it next month. The film will be shot in a single, two-month long shooting schedule.

Where there is controversy, there is Madhur

Bollywood director Madhur Bhandarkar Thursday met social activist Anna Hazare at Delhi's Jantar Mantar and said that the entire film industry supported his crusade against corruption.

"The whole film industry is with Annaji," Bhandarkar said after meeting the 72-year-old Gandhian who is on a fast-unto-death since Tuesday to press for the drafting of a stronger anti-graft Lokpal bill.

"This is the voice of every common man, I am here to support his struggle against corruption," said the director, who has given films like "Page 3", " Fashion" and " Chandni Bar".

His presence, however, created a minor ruckus at the site as the crowd went berserk to catch a glimpse of him. Police had to escort Bhandarkar out.