Have you heard? Katrina Kaif was the original dhaakad gal

Katrina Kaif and Kangana Ranaut

Okay, so Kangana Ranaut seems to be literally ‘killing' it in the teaser of Dhaakad that was released recently. However, it turns out that the National Award-winning actor was not the first choice for this action thriller. Producer Deepak Mukut has revealed that much before they sounded the Panga actor, the film's makers had approached Katrina Kaif. The Dhoom 3 actor even loved the subject, but for creative reasons, the entire team felt they should take a chance with Kangana. Kat gracefully moved on when the film's makers approached the Mental Hai Kya actor. And the rest, as they say, is not a mystery.

Lessons to learn from working with the icons

CID actor Hrishikesh Pandey made his Bollywood debut in Dhai Akshar Prem Ke (2000), starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Now, 22 years later, he shares screen space with Amitabh Bachchan in Ajay Devgn's upcoming Eid offering, Runway 34. Hrishikesh, who has previously shot an ad with Big B, says, "One can learn a lot by simply watching him perform. If we can do even five to 10 per cent of what he does, our life will be made." Talking about his Runway 34 co-actor and director, he says, "Ajay sir knows what kind of shots he requires. He makes his actors comfortable and gives them the liberty to perform."

The ills of popping pills

On the set of Hunarbaaz - Desh Ki Shaan, while gearing up for her performance, Lauren Gottlieb fell sick. She developed rashes on her neck and face. The actor popped some emergency multi-vitamin tablets on an empty stomach which further aggravated her condition. Braving the situation, Lauren delivered a power-packed performance. "It felt heavenly to be back on such a grand stage again doing what I love the most in life. I didn't realise just how much my heart and soul missed it," said Lauren.

Be my guest

Ever since he moved into his new home, the only time that Nawazuddin Siddiqui played host was for the team of his romcom, Noorani Chehra. Now, we hear that the actor is looking to host a grand iftaari party for his friends from the industry. While the date is yet to be decided, we hear it will be around his Eid release, Heropanti 2, which stars Tiger Shroff and Tara Sutaria. That's not all. Nawaz is also planning to have an iftaari for his friends in the media, in the next few days.

Gym barabar gym

Vicky Kaushal is particular about his workout regimen. If he has an early day at work, he makes sure to complete his daily round of kasratbaazi before he calls it a night. On Wednesday, Neha Dhupia joined the Sardar Udham actor for a workout. Sharing a couple of videos on social media, he wrote, "Late night drill with this wonder woman. Neha Dhupia giving in everything she has got. What a fighter!" She reshared his posts, saying, "When you hit the gym after a year and try to match up to Vicky Kaushal… khel khatam." Further, she joked that she "might take a week to recover" from exercising with him. Vicky concluded his post, saying, "Good fight. Good fight. Good night." Phew!

Parent talk

Nearly three months after Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas announced the birth of their first child, the actor opened up on being a mother. In a conversation with Canadian comedian Lilly Singh, PCJ said, "As a new parent right now, I keep thinking about [the fact] that I will never be imposing my desires, fears, my upbringing onto my child. I have always believed that children come through you, not from you," she said. Emphasising that she doesn't believe in the notion that a parent will shape every aspect of her child, she added, "They come through you to find and build their own life. Recognising that really helped me. My parents were very non-judgemental in a certain way."

Planning a comeback

It appears that Geeta Basra is looking to make a comeback in the movies. The Dil Diya Hai (2006), The Train (2007) and Second Hand Husband (2015) actor was recently spotted leaving casting director Mukesh Chhabra's office in Andheri. Post the birth of son Jovan Veer Singh last year, Geeta shot for a brand campaign too.