All Kareena talk annoys Saif!

By Subhash K Jha

Kareena is certainly going to work in Saif Ali Khan's productions. But Saif will have nothing to do with it.

Says the exhausted rocker-actor currently shooting for his only film on the floors. "It's entirely between Kareena and my business partner Dinesh Vijen.

There has been a verbal commitment between them for a couple of projects. Kareena and I don't discuss business. It's entirely the prerogative of the directors that we sign to cast whom they want.

Yes, I'd want me and Kareena to be in all our productions. But I'm not going to thrust our pair down producers' throats. Of course I'd like Kareena to be in every film I make. But my directors may have other plans."

That famous arm with the by-now mythic tattoo has been injured.

Saif's hand was bandaged while he played his rock gig in Bangalore and Mumbai. "Yeah, I injured my right hand while shooting in Greece.

I put a glass down too hard after a drink. And it broke in my hand. It's no big deal. The only thing is, I can't shake hands. Fortunately it didn't affect my guitar-playing."

Saif admits he's annoyed by people constantly asking him about the 'Kareena' tattoo. "On the other hand you can't really blame them. I suppose it's a big deal.

So people will talk and then stop talking about it after a while. You gotta remove yourself from the place of discomfort and look at it more dispassionately."

Saif was aware that the media would focus on the tattoo rather than his music. "Fortunately the audience appreciated the music. Look, the limelight is a moving spotlight. Once in a while you get caught in it."

Couldn't he have got the tattoo done in a less visible place? After all it's between Saif and his love.

"No. It's between me and my arm," he shoots back.

After the successful rock concerts would Saif like to cut an album? "No, can't sing beyond the lower notes. Right now I'm in Alibaug to finish the last schedule of Kunal Kohli's untitled film. Then we're done with this film."

Bride and Bipasha?

The 29-year-old actress, who plays an NRI, who lives in Yorkshire along with her family, is in advanced talks with independent director Raza Mallal.

The story revolves around Jack a jilted lover of a Catholic priest. He settles for an arranged marriage with an Indian girl (Bipasha) in an attempt to avoid priesthood. But Jack has to acquaint himself with the culture, food and even Hindi before he reports to the mandap.

Anupam Kher will be seen playing Bipasha's father, and her other co-actors include Ross Kemp, Robert Hardy, Amanda Holden and Karen Shehnaz David.

Anupam Kher says, "I have given my letter of intent about working in the film. As far as Bipasha is concerned, I am aware that they were supposed to meet her when they had come to meet me. However, I have no clue if she is doing the film."

Anupam Kher, who also stars in the film

Bipasha Basu remained unavailable for comment and repeated calls and SMSes went unanswered. The actress's publicist, when contacted, didn't categorically deny the news and guided us to her international agent Simone Sheffield. Simone Sheffield was not available for comment.