Sonakshi-Ranveer head for Purulia

MUMBAI: Ranveer Singh is immersing himself into his upcoming film Lootera more than he usually does. Not only is he unofficially assisting director Vikramaditya Motwane, he is also taking keen interest in checking out the locations personally. The shooting of Lootera was shifted from Dalhousie to Bengal at the last minute, and when Ranveer heard that the Bengal location was Purulia, scene of a mysterious unauthorised arms-dropping in 1995, Ranveer insisted on getting there first to make sure the place was safe for a lady.

This isn't the first time during their schedules together that Ranveer has tested the waters. Earlier when Kashmir was snowed under, Ranveer insisted that he go to Dalhousie alone to check out the density of the snow.

Producer Vikas Bahl confirmed Ranveer's involvement. "Ranveer did visit Dalhousie prior to the shooting. He insisted on exploring the snow-scape with the unit. He stayed outdoors in the freezing cold for one whole day and returned convinced that we'd have to postpone our Dalhousie schedule.

"Sonakshi was warned from proceeding just in time. The snowfall this year in that area is the most intense in 17 years. Our unit needed hot water to open the doors of the cars," said Bahl.

The unit will now return to Dalhousie in February when the snow will subside. "About 40 percent of the Ranveer-Sonakshi romance in Lootera unfolds in the snowfall. So there's no getting away from the snow. The rest will be shot in Purulia. So that is where we're heading now," he added.

The unit of Lootera has lost close to Rs.1 crore thanks to the postponement of their schedule in Dalhousie. The producers hope to make up for lost time and money after the Purulia schedule. The one member of the unit who seems most traumatised by the unscheduled change is director Motwane.

"It's easier for the rest of us to relocate ourselves. But Vikramaditya has to reposition his entire creative process from one state of mind to another, so that we don't waste any more time and the stars' dates," said Bahl.

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Bipasha Basu gets a song named after her

MUMBAI: Bipasha Basu has joined a special group. The sultry actor now has a song named after herself in the upcoming film, Jodi Breakers, also starring R. Madhavan.

“Yes, I have a song now. But I think, as kids, we are more excited about having a song named after us,” says Bips with a laugh. The actor also insists she has always been wary of having her character or a song named Bipasha. “If we have a certain 

name in films or songs, they become very popular. So, I was known as Billo for the longest time. Over the years, a lot of filmmakers asked if they could name my character Bipasha or make a song with the name in it, but I have always been apprehensive about it,” she says.

Bipasha, incidentally, means ‘deep, dark desire’. “It’s a tough decision. As actors, we give away so much to the business,” she says, but adds that she loves the song. “Salim-Sulaiman first made the composition and presented it to me. I really love their works. And I made my manager, family members and friends listen to it, and everyone simply loved it,” she says.

Choreographed by Bosco-Ceaser, Bips also worked on her styling. She says, “My stylist Shyamalee and I worked on it because I work on my looks myself.”

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Kareena Kapoor caught between the Khans

MUMBAI: It’s not easy working with two Khans. And Kareena Kapoor will probably vouch for that at this point. The actor is currently juggling the on-going promotions for the Imran Khan-starrer Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu and is working on the postproduction of Aamir Khan’s Talaash.

While the actor is apparently having a tough time shuffling dates, Aamir and Imran keep pulling her leg for paying more attention to the other’s film.

“She is going all out to manage Talaash’s post-production work as well as Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu promotions. She has to wrap up all the work soon because Talaash releases this June,” says a team member close to the actor, adding, “Aamir keeps telling her that she is giving Imran more time, and Imran constantly teases her about how she’s giving mamu (uncle) all her dates.”

Says Kareena, “They both are adorable as co-stars. It’s a pleasure working with them. I have already worked with Aamir in 3 Idiots (2009). I love both of them equally.”

Ask Imran about the teasing bit and he laughs before saying, “I love teasing her about how she has no time for me and is giving all her attention to mamu (uncle) and his film. It’s great fun.”

Interestingly, Kareena has also become a messenger of sorts for the uncle and nephew. Since both the Khans remain caught up with their respective films, they hardly get the time to meet each other. So both of them get updates about each other from Kareena.

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