Madhuri Dixit and Anil Kapoor together after 17 years

After 17 years, the hit onscreen couple of “Madhuri Dixit and Anil Kapoor” is set to reteam for a film for Inder Kumar’s ‘Total Dhamaal’. The couple was last seen in 2000 in the film ‘Pukar’.

Madhuri and Anil have given several hit films like Beta, Parinda, Tezaab and Ram Lakhan among others.

Madhuri said, “I will be working with Anil ji after 17 years. I am really looking forward to it. It is a comedy, an entertaining film.”

The film will reportedly also star Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi and Jaaved Jaaferi.

New York-based writer Sri Rao has penned the comedy series about a Bollywood star who settles down in the suburbs of America with her bicultural family.

Madhuri left Mumbai after her marriage to Shriram Nene and moved to Denver, US, where she lived for 12 years. The actor returned to India in 2011, along with her husband and sons.

Madhuri Dixit to endorse basmati rice

Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit will be the global brand ambassador of Bush Foods’ basmati rice brand. "Madhuri Dixit will be the global face of our brand. We will soon launch a television and print campaign globally featuring her," said Virkaran Awasty, chairman and managing director of Bush Foods. Confirms Madhuri Dixit, "I am delighted to be associated with Bush Foods as its global brand ambassador of classic basmati rice." However, neither the actress nor the company officials disclosed the endorsement fee and terms of contract. "We have allocated a significant amount for marketing and promotion," said Awasty, adding Madhuri Dixit’s association with the company would boost its sales globally. Bush Foods exports basmati rice to 28 countries globally, including the US, Australia, Singapore and New Zealand, as also Europe and the Middle East. Awasty said the company targets a turnover of Rs.770 crore for the current fiscal.

In the name of the brand, the company sells 15 premium varieties of basmati rice in local as well as international markets. "Pure basmati epitomises the true spirit of India and its authentic flavour. Through Neesa, we aim to offer the same authentic richness to food connoisseurs all over the world," said Awasty.

Madhuri Dixit denies Rajinikanth's Rana

Ever since ‘dhak dhak’ girl Madhuri Dixit landed in India, Bollywood fell an instant prey to her charms, who flew in from the US to judge ‘Jhalak Dikhla Jaa’. Apparently, the Khans and Kapoors are dying to work with the lady and the latest entrant to the list of Madhuri lovers in none other than Tamil megastar Rajinikanth. Rumour zone suggest that Rajinikanth recently called up Madhuri to be a part of his upcoming project ‘Rana’, which the actress politely turned down. Said a source, “Besides casting Deepika Padukone and Sonu Sood from Mumbai, Rajni Sir was also keen to have Madhuri Dixit in ‘Rana’. However she turned down the offer. She excused herself saying that she was missing her sons Arin and Raayan too much and wanted to fly back to the United States.”

In ‘Rana’, Rajinikanth will be seen in a triple role. Madhuri was about to be cast opposite one of the older characters that Rajinikanth is playing; while Deepika will be romancing a much younger character.

Madhuri Dixit and Rajinikanth were last seen in ‘Uttar Dakshin’ (1987).

Madhuri Dixit to play Sonam Kapoor's mother

Madhuri Dixit, who has set the small screen on fire with her return to the industry as a judge on a dance reality show, will soon be dazzling on the silver-screen too. The actress will be seen essaying the role of Sonam Kapoor’s mother in Anil Kapoor’s remake of the Hollywood hit ‘Freaky Friday’. As per reports, Anil has approached Madhuri for the role and she has agreed to the venture. Confirms a source, “Anil was seeking an actress for the mother’s role and had several names on his mind. Kirron Kher refused citing date issues; other included Shabana Azmi and Rekha.”

As for the movie it revolves around daughter-mother relationship wherein a strange twist of destiny exchanges their souls . “Anil feels the dhak dhak girl is apt for the mother’s role, due to her versatility as an actress. Now that Madhuri has come down to India to be a part of a reality show, she was queued up with several scripts for films too., she did have a long meeting with Anil Kapoor when he approached her with the desi version of Freaky Friday,” said the source.

“Madhuri has liked the plot, but still needs to give her confirmation for doing the film. She is working out her dates," adds the source.

Madhuri Dixit to play Draupadi

Earlier reports suggested that Madhuri Dixit will be seen opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Prakash Jha’s next flick, but the filmmaker has been successful in roping Madhuri to play "Draupadi" in his upcoming venture based on “Mahabharata”.

Mr. Jha is indeed going to work with Madhuri, not on a young man-older woman love story, but a period film.

Jha is also bemused by the rumours that indicate that he was making a movie with Ranbir. “I think Ranbir once said that he has a crush on Madhuri. Somebody must have put two and two together,” quips the director.

It’s been Prakash’s long-cherished dream to do a film on Draupadi and the flick will be a fiercely modern and revisionist interpretation of the ‘Mahabharata’. According to Jha, “Madhuri is the best person for this role”.

Madhuri Dixit celebrates Makar Sankranti