Kareena Kapoor will play the female lead opposite Salman Khan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's latest film Bajirao Mastani.

Kapoor was reportedly Bhansali's first choice for the role of Paro in Devdas, which also starred Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit. He signed Aishwarya Rai at the last minute.

Bhansali's first choice for the role in Bajirao Mastani was Rai. But the actress recently issued a statement, rejecting the role 'for obvious, personal and disturbing reasons.' She was referring to her former relationship with Salman and the recent Vivek Oberoi-Khan fracas. The former held a press conference, alleging Khan called him 41 times in a single night and threatened to kill him.

Bhoot in Telugu

Ram Gopal Varma's horror film, Bhoot (Ajay Devgan, Urmila Matondkar, Rekha, Fardeen Khan, Nana Patekar), has been dubbed in Telugu.

Ramu (as the filmmaker is fondly called) will distribute Panandava Anthastu (The Twelfth Floor), as the film as been titled in Telugu, in Andhra Pradesh.

Kunal Goswami turns director

After an unsuccessful stint as actor in films like Ghungroo, Kalaakar, Vishkanya and Paap Ki Kamai, Manoj Kumar's son Kunal Goswami has decided to try his hand at direction.

The film will be scripted by Manoj Kumar. Shooting starts in August. Uttam Singh (Dil To Pagal Hai) will compose the music. The cast is yet to be finalised.

Pankaj sings for telly

Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas has been roped in to sing in an episode of the serial Karishma -- The Miracle of Destiny, which marks Karisma Kapoor's debut on television.

Produced by Sahara Television, the serial portrays the journey of a woman (played by Karisma), from an ordinary woman to a business entrepreneur.

The ghazal, composed by Ali and Gani and penned by Hasi, has been picturised on a cruise liner.