Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali wants Kareena Kapoor to play Mastani in Bajirao Mastani. He wants Rani Mukerji as Bajirao's wife.

Salman Khan, who has been signed on as Bajirao, has other ideas. He would like his latest flame, Katrina Kaif, in either of these roles.

Salman and Katrina reportedly met Bhansali and Sallu reportedly attempted to change the director's mind. No news yet whether Katrina is in.

Bipasha thumbs down Bhatts

Bipasha Basu has hiked her remuneration after two hits, Raaz and Jism.

She quoted an exorbitant amount for Pooja Bhatt's first directorial venture, Paap, even though it was Bhatt's banner that produced Jism. Paap will star Basu's Jism costar and beau, John Abraham.

Bhatt has decided to sign on a new girl instead.

Urmila is Maharashtra's gaurav

Urmila Matondkar will receive the Maharashtra Gaurav Award for her outstanding contribution to the film industry.

The award will be presented by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on Labour Day, May 1, at the Parliament House auditorium in New Delhi.

Preeti in Ssrot

Preeti Jhangiani will play the female lead in Mahesh Kenge's film Ssrot -- The Source of Life, co-directed by newcomers Kamal and Harish.

The film is inspired by Stephen Hawking, the legendary astrophysicist who has Lou Gehrig's Syndrome.

Shailendra Gaur, who essayed the title role in Ved Rahi's Veer Savarkar (costarring Navni Parihar and Mrinal Kulkarni), will play the lead.

Kaliyon Ka Chaman girl joins films

Meghna Naidu, who acted in the Kaliyon ka chaman remix video, has been snapped up by Bollywood. She plays the lead in writer-director Karan Razdan's Shock. The film stars model-turned-actors Aryan Vaid and Tarun Arora.

Razdan's directorial debut, Roshni, is yet to be released. Arora makes his debut in Ashok Pandit's Sheen, opposite a new girl.