Katrina Kaif replaces Rani as Aditya Chopra's favourite

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Everyone knows that in Bollywood, it is the heroes who call the shots. The leading ladies are just incidental to the plot.

So when one of B-Town's most powerful production houses signs an actress for three big projects, it is definitely time for the competition to sit up and take notice. Not only is Katrina Kaif doing three films for Aditya Chopra's home production, she has been paired opposite the top three Khans.

While Kareena Kapoor has already worked with Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh, they were all projects with different production houses. Clearly, Chopra's production house has never put so much faith in one actress. In fact, they've rarely repeated their leading ladies (barring Rani Mukerji), and often work with the No 1 actress of the time before moving on to the next big star. Rekha acted in Silsila (1981), Juhi in Darr (1993), and Madhuri Dixit in Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997).

Interestingly, Kat has already worked with the banner twice - in New York (2009) and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011). Although she has worked with Salman in many films; come 2012, she begins Dhoom 3 with Aamir and an untitled film with Shah Rukh for the first time. The trade is abuzz with the news of how the actress, who has hit it off with Adi, has replaced Rani as the new favourite of the banner.

Katrina makes light of the fact that next year she will have three releases with the Khan triumvirate. "I am just grateful to be working with such big directors and stars. I believe that the success of a film is in the hands of destiny. I look at it as a job where I have to give the best that I can. I have always learned something from every actor I have worked with, so I hope to learn from Shah Rukh and Aamir too."

Trade analyst Vikas Mohan rubbishes whispers of Katrina's friendship with Adi Chopra behind her three-film lottery, saying, "Kat was seen as the reason behind Mere Brother Ki Dulhan's success. She was the calling card of the film. Promotional strategies were planned around her and she pulled it off. She cemented her position in the industry, that's why she is the only actress who has signed three films with Aditya." The amount of money the banner has riding on her is mind-boggling. Adds Mohan, "On paper, all three films have approximately 200 crore riding on them."

A spokesperson for the production house says, "The decision to have Katrina in three films was made on the basis of only one parameter - the script - followed by the director's vision. Katrina was always the director's first choice for two of those three films."

Another trade analyst Vajir Singh adds, "She was known as a non-actress, but with Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara, Rajneeti and New York, Kat proved she can act. For Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, she went all out to promote it like a hero."

We wonder what Rani has to say about all this, eh?

Kat filming with Salman and SRK ..What Are other Top Actors Working On?

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Gone are the days when top actors would sign on dozens of films and then work overtime, in relentless day and night shifts (sometimes across countries and continents) to finish them.

Spurred by Aamir Khan's 'one film at a time' formula, most actors are now doing limited work; the direct result of which is that it has put interest back into their movies.

Today, it's not uncommon to await an Aamir or a Shah Rukh Khan film excitedly. Here's a quick look at what the top actors are working on...

Aamir Khan in Dhuan

Any Aamir movie, be it featuring him as an actor or a producer, comes with expectations. He often lives with the look of his films and that creates extra curiosity among fans.

They say his marketing strategies begin even before the idea of a film is born. That as it may, in Reema Kagti's Dhuan (tentative title) Aamir gets into the cop act, a la Sarfarosh.

Salman Khan in Ek Tha Tiger

Once, Salman's films used to flop miserably but that hardly affected his fame. However, he's currently enjoying the best phase of his life as his films continue to come up trumps.

His first film with the Yash Raj banner, Ek Tha Tiger is creating much buzz. Looks like it's another Eid blockbuster. 

Shah Rukh Khan in Don 2 and Yash Chopra's Next

When SRK and Yash Chopra come together, expect more than just Swiss Alps and mustard fields. After the so-so Ra.one, his next with the master of romance shall silence his critics.

Then, of course, there's Don 2 by the formidable Farhan Akhtar.

Hrithik Roshan in Agneepath

Let it be said that it is impossible for any modern-day actor to play the raging Vijay Dinanath Chauhan in Agneepath. Amitabh Bachchan owned that ro#8804 he made it among his career-defining performances.

It would be a tough act to follow and Hrithik knows that. 

Amitabh Bachchan in The Great Gatsby

Big B's first ever Hollywood film and fans are waiting with bated breath. But as the excitement wears off, one realises it's just a minor role – that of a gambler, a territory the aging superstar is familiar with (think The Great Gambler). 

Sanjay Dutt in Agneepath

Forget Bigg Boss 5, Baba looks sufficiently evil in the Agneepath trailers. For those still under the spell of the Munnabhai series, it would be difficult to accept the Gandhian Munna as a baddie (and baldie).

Ranbir Kapoor in Barfee

If Rockstar is all about sound, Anurag Basu's Barfee is devoid of any; Ranbir is its deaf and mute hero. The actor teams up with Anjaana Anjaani co-star Priyanka Chopra who plays a mentally-challenged girl. Shades of Koshish?

Imran Khan in Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola

Most definitely, Vishal Bhardwaj's next film will do to Imran's career what Kaminey did to Shahid Kapoor's.

This looks like a perfect opportunity for Imran to break away from his commercial rom-com hero image, toward a more realistic form of cinema that Bhardwaj represents.

Imran has not Vishal, but Ajay Devgn to thank, who walked out of the film at the last minute. 

Ajay Devgn in Golmaal 4

From an intense, action hero to doing light-hearted comedies, Ajay has come a long way. It would be nice to see him reprise Gopal in Rohit Shetty's Golmaal 4, his next project alongside Bol Bachchan.

Akshay Kumar in Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2

Desi Boyz looks no different from Garam Masala. The real Akshay starrer to watch out for is the sequel to Milan Luthria's crime drama which starred Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi. This could be that elusive movie that Akshay has been hankering for – the game-changer, if one may call it.