Jacqueline Fernandez out of Raaz 3

MUMBAI: It’s no secret that actor Jacqueline Fernandez became a hot favourite of the Bhatt banner after the success of Murder 2 (2011). She was then signed on for the third installment of their horror franchise Raaz, which is supposed to be made in 3D. But apparently, the filmmakers have now dismissed the contract with her.

Confirming the news, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, says, “Yes Jacqueline is not in Raaz 3 any more. Actor Esha Gupta will be playing the role instead.” This will be the second film in a row with the Bhatts for debutant Esha Gupta, since she is also playing the female lead opposite Emraan Hashmi in Jannat 2.

As for Jacqueline, the story is that the actor disagreed with director Vikram Bhatt over the wardrobe choices he had made for her character. Forced to choose between the vision of their director and their female lead’s demands, the producers decided to go with Vikram.

“My director communicated to us there was a radical difference between him and Jacqueline over the way the character should dress in the film,” says Mahesh, adding, “Since the director’s vision is paramount for us and for the business of filmmaking, we gracefully decided to part ways.” Jacqueline remained unavailable to comment.

But the Sri Lankan model-turned-actor is not in dearth of projects. She will be seen in two big-ticket sequels — alleged boyfriend Sajid Khan’s Housefull 2 and director duo Abbas Mustan’s Race 2.

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Sunny Leone confirmed for Jism 2, to play Delhi girl

NEW DELHI: Porn star and reality TV sensation Sunny Leone has finally signed Jism 2 after much speculation. And, she is coming to Delhi in March to shoot the film.

“It can now be yelled from the rooftop that Jism 2 is Sunny Leone and Sunny Leone is Jism 2. I took a long time to finalise the lead because somewhere something didn’t feel right. And then I found her in my backyard while watching TV,” says the movie’s director, Pooja Bhatt.

Pooja also confirms the speculation that Leone plays a Delhi girl in the film. “Yes, Sunny belongs to Delhi in the film. Her roots, in real life are also from that part of the country (North India). We will be shooting in Delhi and then in Jaipur.

She is playing a girl who is just out of University. There is a phase of blossoming romance in the film and what better place than Delhi to shoot it!” says Bhatt.

She is now looking for two male leads for the film. “One is going to be young and one will be in his early 40s.” Sunny is also working on her Hindi for the film. “We are sending her the dialogues in advance. She says that she is sleeping, eating and breathing Hindi.”

Ask her how much Leone is being paid and Bhatt says, “Most people think it’s distasteful to talk about the human body; I think it’s distasteful to talk about cash.”

Sunny says in a statement, “It was only after I heard the story that I really agreed to the character they wanted me to play.”

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Bipasha Basu grooves to helen’s lessons

MUMBAI: For any dancing star in Bollywood, actor-dancer Helen is a the absolute benchmark. When Bipasha Basu was asked to perform a sultry song in her upcoming Jodi Breakers, she decided to seek help from the yesteryear dancing diva, who also plays a key role in the film, that also toplines the 3 Idiots star Madhavan.

“Bipasha’s dance number isn’t exactly an item number but it involves a lot of oomphy moves. So, the best person she thought she could approach for tips was Helen aunty because she’s the ultimate dancing queen we have in Bollywood even today,” says a unit member.

Sources claim that although Bipasha and Helen have acted in the film they don’t have too many scenes together. So, whenever Bipasha and she would be shooting together, she’d go out of her way to speak to Helen and ask for advice to improve her overall dancing skills.

“Bipasha, sometimes, even went over to Helen’s house to speak to chat up with her. Their discussions were usually around dance forms and the way Helen pulled off her sizzling songs on screen that are still widely watched,” adds the unit member.

Sources close to the dimpled Bengali star maintain that she has always adored Helen’s work which wasn’t anything like the recent item songs, Munni badnaam hui… (Dabangg) or Sheila ki jawani… (Tees Maar Khan). Bipasha’s favourite Helen song is Monica…Oh my darling… (Carvaan).

Bipasha admits she finds Helen like a live wire even at her age.

“She’s such a positive person. Helen aunty is affectionate, warm and gentle. She’s graceful, charismatic and beautiful, beating any Bollywood beauty even today,” beams Bipasha. “I’m sure everyone will love her work in our film as much as all of us do. When I grow older, I really wish I’m as charged up as she is at her age. She also has this childlike innocence which I wish even I can retain.”

Inspired by Helen aunty

In her recent release, Players, Bipasha had performed Ho gayi tun... that choreographer duo Bosco-Caesar had tried to design keeping Helen’s dance chartbusters in mind.

“We had asked our choreographers to ensure that the look and feel of the song was similar to Heleji’s evergreen tracks that are still popular. They gave Bipasha some of her typical moves and expressions and even the costume was designed keeping Heleji in mind,” says Abbas Burmawala of the director duo Abbas-Mustan.

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