Agent vinod

Producer-actor Saif Ali Khan and director Sridhar Raghavan of Agent Vinod, Saif’s home-production, landed in some legal trouble recently. The cast and crew were shooting some crucial scenes from the film in Kuldhara near Jaisalmer, popularly also known as the ghost town of Rajasthan. According to locals the team was shooting in one of the ancient heritage structures without appropriate permissions. Though the team claimed they had the necessary permits. Anyway, what really irked the locals was that they also flouted rules and caused permanent damage to the site by painting the yellow walls in maroon and filling mud in the stone layers of the ancient houses. As a result Saif’s production company Illuminati Films and co-producer Eros International have coughed up Rs 1,00,000 as penalty and Rs 4,00,000 security deposit will be used for restoration of the heritage site. The Agent Vinod team is no longer allowed to shoot at Kuldhara, but can shoot anywhere else in Rajasthan.

Off-late a lot of foreign beauties have been making their debut in Bollywood. Recently, Playboy model Candice Boucher was seen in Aazaan and now yet another South African model Ann Lee Roberts will be seen in Saif Ali Khan's home production 'Agent Vinod'.

It may be recalled that Saif had cast Brazilian beauty Giselli Monteiro in 'Love Aaj Kal' and now he has got Ann Lee for a supporting role in his espionage thriller. Ann Lee has been a model for a leading denim brand and has even an international beauty pageant in Johannesburg.

'Agent Vinod' stars Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor in lead roles. The film is produced by Illuminati Films and directed by Sriram Raghavan. It's likely to release early next year.



Over the last couple of years, Kareena Kapoor has been part of some of the biggest box office hits including 3 Idiots (2009) and Bodyguard (2011). And now, she is hoping that boyfriend Saif Ali Khan’s action extravaganza, Agent Vinod, will join the list. The film releases early next

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year.

“I have complete faith in the film, Saif and its director Sriram Raghavan. If you ask me, I believe that Saif was born to do the role (of a spy in Agent Vinod). Now, let’s hope for the best. I am keeping my fingers crossed,” says Kareena, whose next lot of films also includes Madhur Bhandarkar’s controversial Heroine. Ask Kareena about being a part of big hits and she immediately says: “It’s definitely overwhelming. And it’s actually four big hits including Golmaal 3,” says the actor with a smile. “But I want to keep pushing the envelope and aim to continue doing some great work.”

Although Kareena has been a part of back-to-back biggies, she refuses to get into competition mode with other female stars. “I only see the camera. I have always been content in my own space and the only competition I have is with my own performances. I aim to outdo myself with every film. Others can worry about being on top,” she says.

Interestingly, before the Kapoor girl proved her merit, the industry considered only Hema Malini in the hit league, when she delivered back-to-back successes in the 1970s like Sholay, Dus Numbri, Haath Ki Safai, Dream Girl and Sanyasi.

But what Kareena is most excited about is the diverse roles she’s given by filmmakers, and the audience’s acceptance. “I consider myself lucky that 3 idiots is the biggest-ever grosser. Bodyguard had the year’s biggest opening while Golmaal is one of the most popular franchises. So both the diversity and acceptance are very satisfying,” says the actor.