Item girl power
Kainaat Arora, along with Maryam Zakaria and Bruna Abdullah, so far seen only in item numbers, are the leads in the Masti sequel.
Get ready to welcome a new set of item girls-turned-actors in Bollywood. We’ve learnt that filmmaker Indra Kumar has roped in Kainaat Arora, Bruna Abdullah and Maryam Zakaria for the sequel to his 2004 hit, Masti. This one, titled Grand Masti, will be the first full-fledged film role for Kainaat, who is late actor Divya Bharti’s cousin. She was last seen in an item number, Aila re aila with Akshay Kumar in Khatta Meetha (2010). Later, she also made a special appearance in the 2011 Tamil film, Mankatha.
A unit insider says about Indra Kumar’s choice of leading ladies: “Indraji has opted for new girls because he feels that the popularity of the Masti franchise largely hinges on the male leads.” Vivek Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh and Aftab Shivdasani, who were in the cast of Masti — will return with this sequel. Like in the original, they (Vivek, Riteish and Aftab) will be shown as married men who flirt with girls,” adds the insider. The film also stars Manjari Phadnis and TV actor Karishma Tanna.
Bruna Abdullah returns after her item number, Subah hone na de, in Desi Boyz (2011). The Brazilian model, who entered the industry with an item song Reham kare (Cash, 2007), also had a tiny role in the Imran Khan-Sonam Kapoor starrer I Hate Luv Storys (2010). Also joining them is Iranian-Swedish actor-model Maryam Zakaria, who was last seen in the item songs Dil mera muft ka (with Kareena Kapoor in Agent Vinod) and Aa re pritam pyaare from Rowdy Rathore. She has also made special appearances in several Tamil and Telugu films.
When contacted, Indra Kumar remained unavailable for comment, while co-producer Ashok Thakeria says, “The girls’ names aren’t finalised yet. We have only started shooting with the male cast. We will announce the entire cast together.”
Remembering Divya Bharti
Back in the ’90s, Divya was hailed as one of the most promising female actors of her generation. She starred in successful films like Vishwatma (1992), Shola Aur Shabnam (1992), Dil Ka Kya Kasoor (1992), Deewana (1992; Shah Rukh Khan’s debut film) and Balwaan (1992). Her career was cut short by her mysterious death in 1993.
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