Saif and Ajay at loggerheads again

They may have played friends turned foes in OMKARA but seems like there is some trouble in paradise leading to off screen battle as well. Unbelievable as it may sound but Saif Ali Khan's dream project AGENT VINOD has been delayed all over again after being pushed ahead from February to March. While the constant flip-flop around the release plan is hardly the kind of situation either Saif orKareena would have wanted to be in, there is also some heartburn reserved forAjay Devgn since the film is now clashing with his TEZZ heads-on.

	AJAY DEVGN and SAIF ALI KHANE

''I don't remember when was the last time a big film saw a change in plan so often,' says a trade follower, 'AGENT VINOD was earlier supposed to arrive in the middle of this year. Then it got pushed to December. Post that it was pitched around the Valentine's Day in February and now it is March. I hope this time around it is final.'' 

Incidentally TEZZ has been threatened by AGENT VINOD in as many as two instances, first in December and now in March. The Ajay Devgn starrer too has faced its own challenges in reaching the finishing line (a song along with a 10 day shoot still remains for the film) and while the makers had earlier announced that 23rd March was going be the D-day by all means, arrival of AGENT VINOD on the same day may well lead to some rethinking on their part.

While Ajay has kept mum around the release of TEZZ so far, Kareena is gung ho about AGENT VINOD and feels that not much needs to be read in the 'slight delay' that the film is seeing. She says, ''Saif and (director) Sriram Raghavan have worked together in EK HASINA THI and share an amazing working relationship. They understand each other's world and this is what's going to make AGENT VINOD really special for them. The film is taking some time but that's because it is our baby and we want the best product for the audience.''

Well, the million dollar question is whether this would be enough to change Ajay's heart?

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Arshad Warsi in HAI RABBA MAIN KYA KAROON

One of the oldest production houses helmed by Sagars, a once influential filmmaking family in Bollywood that was headed by Ramanand Sagar (mythological TV serial makers), is going through a revival process. Though their last film (war film 1971) was made way back in 2007, the family members at Sagars have now decided to give another shot at filmmaking. While the film also acts as a launch-pad of Sagar scion Aakash, it would also feature Arshad Warsi as an established co-star to help add weight to the project.

"Yes, Sagars are making a comeback of sorts with this film which has been titled HAI RABBA MAIN KYA KAROON. It would be pretty much a family affair since it would be directed by Amrit Sagar (who had directed 1971) and feature Aakash Sagar as the leading man. The film has been designed as a feel good affair with Arshad Warsi being roped in to add on to the entertainment quotient," informs our source.

	view ARSHAD WARSI picture gallery

Arshad, who has basically picking and choosing projects quite carefully with a hat trick of successes under his belt (DOUBLE DHAMAAL, GOLMAAL 3 andISHQIYA), has not just given a nod of approval to the film but also shot for substantial portion in the recently concluded schedule at a Delhi farmhouse. Also, though one would have expected that this would be yet another instance of Arshad playing a cameo or doing an extended guest appearance as a favour to a filmmaker (case in point being F.A.L.T.U.), this isn't really the case in HAI RABBA MAIN KYA KAROON where he is actually spear heading the case in a major role. 

"Arshad doesn't want to do films only for emotional reasons. Yes, he wanted to help out Sagars since he knows them for quite some time. However, he stepped into the film only after he was sure of the script and his role. HAI RABBA MAIN KYA KAROON is meant to be a celebratory affair set in Delhi with quintessential ingredients of 'shaadi byaah', 'mauj masti' and 'naach gaana' in it. Arshad has really enjoyed whatever portions have been shot so far," informs a friend of Arshad.

While a new girl is being launched opposite Aakash, Arshad's leading lady in the film would be Ria Sen. When contacted, Arshad confirmed doing HAI RABBA MAIN KYA KAROON and the fact that he plays a parallel lead in the film.

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DON 2 scores globally!

The first week numbers are out and it is crystal clear that Farhan Akhtar'sShahrukh Khan-Priyanka Chopra  starrer, DON 2, has scored globally.

Coming to India, DON 2 has netted around 72 crore, with the dubbed (Tamil and Telugu) versions adding another 3 crores for a sum total of 75 crore (to be validated once numbers are out).

	view DON 2 movie stills

As is the case with most SRK starrers, DON 2 has ruled the overseas grossing $9.50 m till Thursday (29th December). The film has grossed $2.6 m from US, $1.6 m from UK, $2.1 m from the Middle East, apart from many other countries, the collections of which are still to be received.

CHECK OUT: Post DON 2 success, Farhan earns his break

As is known, the worldwide rights of DON 2 were procured by Reliance Entertainment for Rs.80 crore (excluding print and publicity), out of which 36 crore have already been recovered from satellite rights and 9 crores from audio rights. As the stats clearly indicate, it is but a formality to state that DON 2 is clear hit that still has a lot of firepower left (given the perceptible second weekend trends!).

The only new release of the week, former IPS officer Y.P. Singh's KYA YAHI SACH HAI, has opened to poor collections of below 10 percent and has negligible chances at the ticket window.

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