Saif and I are smouldering hot: Kareena at 8:32 PM

Now that Kareena Kapoor is finally going to be part of Saif Ali Khan's production plans, no stone is being left unturned to ensure her presence is justified in the Khan-produced venture.

Apparently, in the beginning, the leading lady's role in Agent Vinod was relatively less substantial than Saif's.

Says a source, "In fact Kareena wasn't sure she wanted to do Agent Vinod because the title clearly indicated whom the film belonged to. But Saif convinced Kareena that her role would be on a par with his. Then he convinced Sriram with whom Saif has a deep rapport since they did Ek Hasina Thi together, to make sure Kareena's presence in the film is justified."

Quiz Kareena about this, and she laughs, "Do you think I'd agree to be part of the film if my role was not as exciting as Saif's? I mean, can you imagine what would happen? Saif and I will be smoldering-hot in Agent Vinod. Even the posters will be designed to highlight us as the coolest hot pair."

Clearly, after Rensil D'Silva's terrorist drama in which Saif and Kareena look and act very real, the pair is in no mood to get into the authentic space once again.

But here's where the problem sets in. While Kareena and Saif are looking to do a high-gloss big-budget espionage thriller, director Sriram Raghavan is looking at making a gritty life-like spy drama.

Says Raghavan, "I grew up watching those really filmy spy films like Farz, Aankhen, Yakeen and of course the Rajshris' Agent Vinod. I've been fascinated by the genre. However, times have changed and so have definitions of espionage. My film will occupy a more real space."

He admits his spy drama will be more in the mood of Mani Shankar's recent Mukhbir than the old Agent Vinod. At the same time Raghavan admits the high budget of the new-age Agent Vinod forbids any over experimentation, "I've never worked on this kind of a budget before. And I can't afford to be experimental. The market has to be kept in mind. So there will be music and songs. But no lip sync songs."

With Saif wanting to be Tom Cruise and Kareena looking as hot as Nicole Kidman in his arms, Sriram Raghavan could be heading for more excitement than he bargained for when he starts shooting in July.

‘Saif is fine, undergoing treatment’ at 2:12 AM

Saif Ali Khan was on Thursday (December 25) admitted to Leelavati Hospital in Mumbai after he complained of abdominal pain.

Hospital spokesperson Mohan Rajan said 38-year-old Saif was undergoing treatment but refused to reveal more details.

However, actor’s mother Sharmila Tagore told TIMES NOW,” He has been admitted for stomach infection for some drips, he will be there for 24 hours or so for obversation. But, he is completely out of danger.”

Coming out of the hospital last night, actress Karishma Kapoor also said that the actor was out of danger.

“He is absolutely fine. He had an acute case of stomach infection…he will be out in a day or two,” she said.

Saif had spent a week in a Mumbai hospital last year after complaining of chest pain.

The actor had undergone an emergency appendectomy surgery after complaining of abdomen pain during a shoot in Kuala Lumpur in early 2006.

My best phase started with Saif's entry: Kareena Kapoor at 6:12 AM

Mumbai, Kareena Kapoor is on a high. She is getting one film offer every day and receives more than 300 SMSes daily. The actress says her career has started looking up ever since Saif Ali Khan entered her life.

"Saif is extremely loving and supportive. In fact, the best phase of my career started when Saif came into my life. Now he's enjoying this phase in my life along with me. That makes this phase even more special," Kareena told IANS.

Many people gave her relationship with Saif no more than six months. Reacting to that, Kareena said: "There's absolutely no room for such negativity in my life. I only have place for people who are positive and who make me happy by sharing in my happiness.

"This is the best phase in my life. And I feel I'm in a place where I've never been before."

Commenting upon her career, she said: "I'm a lucky girl. I'm being offered one film every day. Normally a Bollywood actress does about 40 days' work. My directors are taking about 100 days with me. I've already given Karan (Johar) 100 days for his film directed by Rensil D'Silva."

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: What are you doing in this guy-oriented cast of Rajkumar Hirani's "Three Idiots"?

A: I've an effective role. And no power on this earth would've made me miss the chance of working with Hirani. I'm a lucky girl. I'm being offered one film every day. I don't have time to read scripts. I'll do so in March 2009 after I finish my current lot of films which includes Karan Johar's film with Saif. Normally a Bollywood actress does about 40 days' work. My directors are taking about 100 days with me. I've already given Karan 100 days for his film directed by Rensil D'Silva. 

Q: Looking back, has it been a turbulent year for you?

A: I wouldn't call it turbulent. It was an exciting phase in my life when so many things rushed down on me at the same time. The last year was a turning-point in my life. But the end result is happy. Both, professionally and emotionally, I think I've come out a winner. I've tried to be as dignified about my personal life as possible. As for my work, god has been kind.

Q: Do you think you're lucky?

A: It's not just luck. I've worked really hard to get here. It's my perseverance that has got me where I am. And I owe my success to no one else but myself.

Q: Perseverance? You've begun to sound like Saif.

A: Yes, my vocabulary has increased. He makes me memorise some pages of the Oxford dictionary every day, ha ha. That's a joke. But seriously, he does speak very well. So I'm trying to catch up.

Q: Who's your favourite Khan?

A: Ah-ha. Do I have to spell it out? 

Q: Is there anything you want?

A: I have it all. For me, the journey as an actress has just begun. And I'm not going to shift focus from it for four-five years.

Q: No marriage for four-five years?

A: I know, I definitely want to. But not at least for three years. The work I'm doing is giving me so much satisfaction. No 28-year-old can ask for more.

Q: People gave your relationship with Saif no more than six months?

A: There's absolutely no room for such negativity in my life. I only have place for people who are positive and who make me happy by sharing in my happiness. This is the best phase in my life. And I feel I'm in a place where I've never been before. As an actress I feel everyone and that includes me, expects things from me that are not generally expected from Bollywood actresses except maybe Kajol. Or my sister Karisma. 

Q: Do you get enough time with Saif?

A: He's extremely loving and supportive. He knows how long it's taken me to get the work that I'm getting now. In fact, the best phase of my career started when Saif came into my life. Now he's enjoying this phase in my life along with me. That makes this phase even more special. The only thing I miss is time with my family and Saif. When I finish this schedule I head straight to Venice for Sajid Nadiadwala's "Kambakht Ishq".

Q: Are you and Saif doing a lot of endorsements together?

A: We're offered a lot of endorsements. But we are not doing any except a shampoo brand (Head & Shoulders). But we'll soon be signing on for endorsements. And we're doing another film for Asthvinayak. That starts in April 2009. We want it to be a fast and furious action film. Something larger-than-life. Saif is working very closely with the producers. He's trying to lock in on the script and director.

Q: You've changed so much in appearance and behaviour.

A: Ha, that's what you think. I'm still the same. It's just that I'm so busy. I've been working constantly. On top of that my house is being done up. There're a dozen things demanding my attention. I get 300 SMSes a day. I can't answer them personally