Deepika Padukone in Desi Boyz; What are actresses working on?

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Looks like actresses are finally taking over in Bollywood -- some of the biggest upcoming films generating all the buzz don't actually belong to heroes, but to heroines.

For instance, there's immense interest in Vidya Balan as Silk Smitha in The Dirty Picture or Kareena Kapoor's Marilyn Monroe-meets-Madhubala act in Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine.

Then, one supposes it's only fair to clock the upcoming releases that you are likely to see your favourite actresses in.

Take a look at what you can expect from Kartina Kaif, Deepika Padukone and the other hotties...

Katrina Kaif in Dhoom 3

The Dhoom franchise is getting bigger. With Aamir Khan as baddie, Katrina is toning down to fit into a bikini. The actress has avoided skin exposure so far (though she did sizzle in Boom, eons ago). In Ek Tha Tiger, she pairs up with ex Salman Khan.

Not to forget Yash Chopra's next big one.

Kareena Kapoor in Agent Vinod

Teaming up with beau Saif Ali Khan in what looks like Vijay Anand-meets-James Bond pulp thriller, this Chammak Challo has the most balanced bag of movies currently -- from the author-backed Heroine to pairing up with her favourite Khan in Talaash (Aamir, not Saif). 

Vidya Balan in The Dirty Picture

Talk of the town, Vidya looks like she was meant to portray a voluptuous beauty who uses her body to her advantage. Vidya put on weight indiscriminately, first for Ishqiya and now for The Dirty Picture.

Her biggest fan, designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee, puts it best, "She has the kind of sensuality the common man wants to see."

Deepika Padukone in Desi Boyz

After the disastrous Aarakshan, Deepika turns to rom-com in this Akshay Kumar-John Abraham-starrer. So far, it's her cat fights with co-star Chitrangada Singh that's kept the film in the news.

Bipasha Basu in Players

Exotic locales, uber glamorous heroines and pulsating thrills, Players is a typical Abbas Mustan fare. That basically means the heroines (there are two here) will be treated like showpiece furniture.

Despite the handicap, Bipasha Basu is turning on the heat in the promos (catch her in that smokin' red bikini).

Rani Mukerji in Talaash

Back in the company of old friend Aamir, Rani is hoping to resuscitate her career with Talaash.

She had already silenced her detractors to an extent with No One Killed Jessica as a feisty journalist earlier this year.

Sonam Kapoor in Players

With the ghosts of Mausam behind her, Sonam badly needs a hit to be in contention. Players could be the kind of project Sonam may have marked herself out for.

Don't forget the Kareena formula: it doesn't matter how big or meaty is your role so long as the film is a blockbuster. 

Priyanka Chopra in Agneepath

A talenthouse who's yet to realise her true potentials, Priyanka can pull a few surprises in Agneepath, a film that seems to be set in the Maharashtrian underworld.

If Priyanka's Marathi mulgi act in Kaminey is anything to go by, Piggy Chops has another ace up her sleeve. 

Anushka Sharma in Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola

A reincarnation of Juhi Chawla in some sense, this very organic, natural actress has become a favourite for filmmakers looking for the Janakpuri-style firebrands.

More than Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, one is waiting to see how Vishal Bhardwaj moulds her in Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola.

Preity Zinta in Ishq in Paris

It seems the actress has been working with an international trainer to get into perfect shape for this film.

Given that it's her first production, Preity is leaving no stone unturned. 

Sonakshi is Akshay’s desi girl

While Priyanka Chopra is known to be the desi girl, (courtesy her Dostana song) Akshay Kumar feels otherwise.

He recently said that he can only think of only Sonakshi Sinha as the ultimate desi girl. And he said this in the presence of his leading ladies Deepika Padukone and Chitrangda Singh. Even though they took it sportingly, we are curious about what PC has to say to Akshay's claim of Sonakshi being his choice of desi girl.

Dippy graces Harper's Bazaar in ripped green jacket and sequinned pants- and Sexiest India covergirl this November!

Here's a round-up of the glossies for November -- take our poll and let us know who you think makes for the most fashionable, sexy cover this month!

Wedding season, festive season, parties galore -- Indian magazines are pulling out all the stops when it comes to glamming up as the year draws to a close.

In the following pages, we bring you the hottest divas fronting them. Which covergirl takes the top spot for November?

Deepika Padukone

The epitome of haute couture, Dippy graces Harper's Bazaar in a curly hairdo, ripped green jacket and sequinned pants.

Jyothsna Chakravarthy

The model has jaws dropping for Elle with a plunging wine-tone cocktail, tousled hair and ruby lips.

Sonakshi Sinha

Sona plays the girl-next-door for FHM, dressed in a cardigan with minimal makeup.

Sonam Kapoor

Demure, soft and feminine, Sonam is an almond-eyed enchantress on the latest edition of Vogue.

Sonal Chauhan

Model-actress Sonal gets her groove on for Femina in November sporting heavy-duty jewellery and a classic retro ensemble.

Kalki Koechlin

Kalki also opts for retro glam on Grazia -- but in a more cheerful vein, with beehive do, textured dress and holding an envelope clutch.

Shraddha Kapoor

Mesmerising us with her gaze on Marie Claire's cover is model-actress Shraddha in a jacket-dress.

Sarah-Jane Dias

Former beauty queen Sarah-Jane is bubbly and casual on the latest issue of Prevention.

Shazahn Padamsee

And finally, Shazahn is a modern gadget goddess in shorts and a crop top fronting Exhibit.

Did Deepika Padukone oust Sonakshi Sinha from Race 2?

After her li'l tiff with Katrina Kaif, there are rumours that Deepika Padukone isn't too secure and fond of Sonakshi Sinha, and is actually the reason why the actress was ousted from Race 2.

Apparently, both Deepika and Sonakshi were to play the female leads in the sequel of Abbas-Mustan's 'Race', but now Sonakshi has been replaced by Jacqueline Fernandez!

While rumour has it that it was Deepika who didn't want to share screen-space with Sonakshi, the production house insists that it was a mere date problem that caused the change.

While a source tells us, "Deepika didn't want to share screen space with Sonakshi and preferred that someone else come in," a member from the production house insisted, "The shooting schedule changed, and Sonakshi couldn't accomodate her dates. She is shooting for Dabangg 2 at the same time. Deepika has suggested nothing about the casting and has nothing to do with Sonakshi being out or Jacqueline being in. The rumours are all rubbish."

Celebrity Hairstyles: Then and Now

Sonakshi Sinha - birthday bash of Arpita Khan

Deepika gains as Sonakshi Sinha ditches Kamal Hassan

Filmmakers seem to be sharing very similar casting priority lists. And Sonakshi Sinha and Deepika Padukone seem to be classic examples.

Sonakshi was the first choice for K S Ravikumar's Rana and Kamal Hassan's Vishwaroobham, but with the actress having to opt out of both films, Deepika has been the second-best option.

Recently, Sonakshi opted out of Hassan's bilingual film, in which she was to play his wife, due to her prior commitment to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's project, Rowdy Rathod.

Her decision to opt out comes as a surprise since the actress was very enthusiastic when she initially signed the film. Even the age difference between Hassan and her did not hinder the actress from taking on the role. In a media report, Sonakshi stated, "I don't think that age should be a bar to essay the role of Kamal Hassan's wife.

When I stand before the camera, it is the role that matters. It is not an easy task to act with Kamal. I was a little scared, initially. Language too will not be a problem for me."

However, Sonakshi's enthusiasm had fizzled out, when the film failed to go on floors as scheduled. Shooting for the film was to start from the first week of June but the plan was squashed when director Selvaraghavan walked out of the project.

He reportedly stated that he could not commit to the project as much as needed. Hassan then decided to take on the directorial reins but has yet to announce when filming will commence, which has perturbed Sonakshi.

A source close to the actress told Mumbai Mirror, "All her excitement is a thing of the past. She has decided that she is not doing Kamal Hassan's film. But trust me it wasn't easy for her to take this decision.

She has lost her first opportunity to work with Kamal Hassan. Hassan had serious creative differences with Selvaraghvan. Then, Hassan decided to direct the project himself. And consequently, there were delays in production. "

With Hassan postponing the filming schedule, it clashed with Sonakshi's dates allotted to Bhansali. The source added, "Sonakshi was extremely professional, while explaining her case to Kamal Hassan Productions. There is no animosity between Kamal Hassan and Sonakshi."

Hassan's search for a replacement is already on and Deepika seems to be the likely contender. Previously, Deepika had filled in for Sonakshi, who was the first choice for the Rajinikanth starrer, Rana. Reportedly, Rajinikanth was uncomfortable to pair up with his friend Shatrughan Sinha's daughter.

Despite repeated attempts, Sonakshi remained unavailable for comment.

More sizzling - Sonakshi or Deepika?

Sonakshi Sinha at Imran Khan and Avantika Malik's wedding receptio

Sonakshi Sinha - Who has the best legs?

Sonakshi Sinha at 'Triumph' show hosted by Farah Khan

Sonakshi Sinha: in Dabboo Ratnani's 2011 calendar