Casting Ouch: Shilpa Vs Ash

'Pink Panther 2' casting has now become the hotly debated issue in Bollywood. Contrary to latest media reports, Aishwarya’s international agent Simone Sheffield says, "Ms Rai was the first and only choice to play Sophie in the Hollywood film Pink Panther 2."

The casting director Ilene Starger too endorses this fact by saying, "We did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya. Period. Ash was the actress I envisioned when I read the script. Her intelligence, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us are thrilled to work with her.”

A couple of actresses claim to have refused the role Ash is starring in. It’s sad. If either of them had been offered a role in such a big budget international film, they’d have jumped at the opportunity instead of passing it up.”

Giving her side of story to SantaBanta, Simone says, "Please look at the original document received from Shilpa and you will see a standard letter signed by an office assistant and NOT by Ilene Starger."

"NO WHERE in the letter is there an offer for Shilpa to read, appear or even consider appearing in the film.....it is merely an invitation for Shilpa to submit a tape of herself. PERIOD.....this process is standard in the industry," she adds.

Last week, Ash shot for the film in Paris shooting alongside Steve Martin (who reprises his role as Inspector Jacques Clouseau) and Andy Garcia (Vincente) and has now returned to Mumbai to complete Ashutosh Gowariker’s Jodha Akbar and Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar Raj.

- SantaBanta.Com

'I wanted none other than Aishwarya'

Refuting rumours about other Bollywood actors being offered a role in "Pink Panther 2", its casting director Ilene Starger said they only considered Aishwarya Rai.

"Most emphatically, we did not offer the role to anyone other than Aishwarya! Aishwarya was, when I first read the script, the actress I envisioned for the role," Starger told from Los Angeles in an e-mail interview.

Aishwarya shot for a day with Steve Martin and Andy Garcia in Paris Aug 20 for the film by Harold Zwart.

"Her intelligence, grace, beauty and sophistication are just what the role requires. And, of course, she has a touch of mystery too. She fits in wonderfully with our fantastic ensemble cast, and all of us involved with the film are thrilled to work with her."

Rumours had it that Celina Jaitley was offered the role first but rejected it. Also, Hrithik Roshan was asked to play detective Clouseau's assistant Vincent in part two of the comedy, but he too turned it down.

However, Aishwarya's international manager Simone Sheffield dismisses the reports.

Sheffield said: "Negotiations went on for a month to secure Aishwarya and her dates. The script is absolutely wonderful and the wardrobe is great.

"The film's costume designer Joe Aulisi has chosen some really hot items from Dolce & Gabbana. If any one of the actresses mentioned had really been offered this A-level role in such a big-budget international film, they would have jumped to join it and not have passed on the opportunity as they state, believe me.

"What I love about Aishwarya is that she just calmly continues along the path she has chosen, does her work, lives her life and never has a bad word to say about anyone."

Sheffield also has a lot to say about the actresses' absence at the unveiling of her statue at Times Square and for the promotion of her latest international film "The Last Legion".

"I see this trend happening more and more in the media with events falsely confirming Aishwarya's attendance to boost sales and media attention.

For one, Aishwarya was never confirmed to appear at the unveiling in New York City, nor did we confirm she was appearing on the late night talk show and a morning news programme during her brief visit to Los Angeles.

"She did, however, confirm she was appearing at India Splendor celebrating the 60th anniversary of India's Independence. When Aishwarya confirms an appearance, it is confirmed and she will without fail attend and always has.

"As for the promotions for 'The Last Legion', it is up to the producers and distributors of the film to make such arrangements and in this case numerous phone interviews with the international media took place over the past two months. There was nothing else requested of Aishwarya prior to the film's US release."

Bipasha Basu very upset by Randeep

Shilpa Shetty has filed a court case against the UK-based Jasveer 'Jazz' Barton, who had falsely claimed to be her 'Agent', made commitments and even signed a deal on her behalf, while the actress was participating in the UK reality show Big Brother.

"We have put up a case at the City Civil Court, Mumbai, asking for an injunction against Jazz Barton's untrue claims and demands," informed Shilpa's spokesperson and publicist Dale Bhagwagar.

"Now that Shilpa is world famous, Jazz has been trying to extract money from her. She has been sending her legal notices, seeking a cut from Shilpa's earnings," said Bhagwagar, and added, "Jazz's demands are ridiculous, as Shilpa does not have any contract or agreement with her in the first place. By going to court, Shilpa is just protecting herself from Jazz's illegal claims."

It can be recalled that Jazz Barton (along with Bobby Khan) was instrumental in introducing Shilpa Shetty to Endemol; the casting-agency for Big Brother. When the UK media started addressing Jazz as Shilpa's 'Agent' and Bobby Khan as 'Manager', while Shilpa was still in the 'Big Brother' house, the Shetty's sensed Jazz was upto mischief by misguiding the media.

After slandering Shilpa in the western media, Jazz came down to Mumbai and gave derogatory statements against the actress and her mother Sunanda Shetty to the Indian media. On her visits to India, she was served two legal notices, after which, she hurriedly left the country. "Subsequently, there was an exchange of more legal notices with Jazz making illegal claims and monetary demands. Thus, Shilpa was left with no other alternative but to take legal action against Jazz Barton"

Big Baby Mat Kaho Na: Shilpa

In international circles, Shilpa Shetty has earned the tag of ‘Big Baby’ owing to her mom Sunanda Shetty accompanying her almost everywhere.

There were huge discussions about the 30 something actress living with her parents and actress sister Shamita Shetty and being accompanied by her mother for all business meetings, tours and shoots.

The screen beauty was not too happy about this tag from the western media. She quickly hit back by insisting that this is only about having a close knit family. "It's purely for emotional reasons. After a hard day's work, I need someone I can come home to. I don't travel with mum because I'm a baby," she retorted.

Shilpa’s spokesperson Dale Bhagwagar leaps to her defense. “There are two basic reasons for the same, the first being the fact that Shilpa’s mum is like her best friend.

Secondly if her mum is around, Shilpa can be somewhat laidback as she looks into the nitty-gritty of all things. In a way it must feel like home for her. When she had joined ‘Big Brother’, it was the first time she was traveling alone abroad and was without her mom for so many days at a stretch.

Shilpa enjoys her mom’s company. And her mom too is also a very chirpy bubby and happy go lucky person who talks and even yaps at times. It won’t be an understatement to say that she is even bubblier than Shilpa and puts one at complete ease.”

“Her mum accompanies her sister Shamita too, but then Shamita is much more independent and outgoing. She is much stronger. If she doesn’t like somebody doing something, she quickly disciplines the other person.

While Shilpa can’t do that, she is too simple, sweet and extremely gullible. Sometimes if Sunanda Shetty is busy traveling with Shilpa, their dad travels with Shamita,” adds Bhagwagar.

Shilpa is not alone. In Bollywood most actresses are known for being their mums' darlings. Kareena Kapoor is mostly seen around with her mother Babita, Priyanka Chopra and mum Dr Madhu Chopra are almost always together and there is Ayesha Takia whose constant companion is mommy Farida.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been known for her closeness to her mum Vrinda (more so before she became the Bachchan bahu).

In fact when she had gone to the Oprah Winfrey show some two years ago, she was asked by the surprised host as to how at 30 she was still staying with her folks. Aishwarya went on to explain the stunned Oprah the intricacies of our culture.

Rani Mukerji and Esha Deol’s closeness to their respective mums Krishna and Hema Malini is not hidden either. These girls are known to discuss all their professional decisions with their mothers.

In fact, certain sections of people have actually joked about ‘Bollywood actresses being handled by their mums’ in various forums and blogs.

Mainly because staying with one's parents and traveling with them after a certain age is alien behavior in the West and is against their idea of independence. It’s a part of Indian culture which they can't really comprehend.

Explains Bhagwagar,“In the West, children and siblings move out of home once they reach a certain age. But that doesn’t happen here since we are more attached to our parents. Not that they don’t love their parents, but I think Shilpa and the rest are kind of upholding that very culture.

Some people even here might feel a little uncomfortable about being accompanied by parents for business meetings and shoots. But Shilpa loves her parents so much that she can never take things that way.” -Sneha Hazarika

Aishwarya Rai is not Pregnant!

Refuting the reports about Aishwarya Rai's pregnancy, Abhishek Bachchan has made clear it amply clear that his wife is too busy to start a family.

In fact, she is going to be very busy shooting for the next two years. Just after completing the shooting of Sarkar Raj, the actress will fly to Europe for her third Hollywood venture which is a sequel to Hollywood blockbuster Pink Panther.

It is also reported that the actress will be playing the female lead opposite Steve Martin. Actors Andy Garcia, John Cleese and Alfred Molina have also joined the crew of Columbia Pictures/MGM's ‘The Pink Panther 2’.

Ash will star as a detective along with ‘Spiderman 2’ villain Molina and Garcia, who join forces with bumbling French police detective Jacques Clouseau, to be played by Martin, to catch the thief who has been stealing artifacts around the world.

Cleese will play Clouseau's superior chief inspector Charles Dreyfus in the movie, according to reports.

Agent Cody Banks director Harald Zwart will be directing the film, which was penned by Scott Neustadter, Mike Weber, Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel and Steve Martin.

The film will be produced by Robert Simonds and Ira Shuman will be executive producer.

It is also learnt that Ash will start shooting for a film with Abhishek Bachchan to be directed by Tarun Mansukhani for Karan Johar's Dharma Productions early next year.

With a such packed shooting schedule ahead Ash might just be glowing with work only.