If rumours are to be believed, Shah Rukh Khan is planning to take over the reins of Devdas in due course of time. We can't help but wonder why…

Did the lovely Ms Madhuri Dixit-Nene give Devdas producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali an ultimatum to complete the film? Or is the hurry due to the mammoth sets that have to be erected at Filmcity before the monsoons? Or then is it because Bharatbhai (Bharat Shah) languishes in jail and the finances of the film are in the doldrums?

It could be any one of these reasons, but then again only Shah Rukh can tell us the real story behind this move of his. Enlightenment, anyone?

Beginner's luck...or lack of it?

He has a rather dubious claim to fame.

Newcomer Karannath, better known as star secretary Rikku's (of Madhuri Dixit fame) son is earning notoriety already.

It's not only daddy dear mucking up beta's dates and throwing producers' shooting schedules awry.

Even the mater, who is a writer by profession, is proving to be quite a test in endurance. She develops sudden maternal yearnings for her son, especially when he is on an outdoor shoot. This translates into additional tickets for the father-mother duo.

With all this additional baggage, Karannath is bound to find the going tough…and he is only just beginning.

Merchant of Bollywood

When Santosh Sivan asked Shah Rukh Khan for the distribution rights of Asoka down south as remuneration for directing the film, everyone thought Sivan was acting out of concern and magnanimity.

Little did they decipher the goings-on in his mind…it is only now, when he got what he bargained for, that the producers realised his sharp astuteness.

For, down south, Ajith is hot property. And the fact that Ajith is playing a negative role, pitted against Shah Rukh Khan, is making waves amongst the distributors. So, of course, the price Santosh is getting is phenomenal.

Who says creative people do not shrewd businessmen make?

Desperately seeking Bhagyashree

She is one difficult woman.

Bhagyashree even drove the normally non-controversial and staid Rajshri Productions up the wall until they were begging for respite.

Recently, the makers of a music video were at the receiving end. Having shot the video in Ooty, the team was unable to complete the work during the outdoor schedule due to her tantrums.

The unit returned to Bombay where the remaining shoot had to be completed. With barely half an hour's work left, the producers requested Bhagyashree to extend her work schedule, but the lady refused to cooperate.

The result being that a full day's shoot was called for just to complete that half an hour of work…no wonder Madhuri and Juhi are inundated with work, post-marriage, while Bhagyashree is desperately scouting around for roles.

Amitabh and Abhishek: Real to reel?

Director Dharmesh Darshan has a number of aces up his sleeve.

He is currently busy shooting for elder brother Suneel Darshan. The film has an interesting cast comprising Akshay-Karisma-Abshishek. And if you think getting together Karisma and Abhishek is a casting coup, wait till you hear this…

Apparently, Dharmesh has a script for which he wants Amitabh to play father to Abhishek Bachchan. And none other than Shah Rukh plays the second sibling!

Bachchan has given the go ahead for the script, but the final confirmation is still awaited.