Saif, Rani and Kajol in Kunal’s Next

Kajol and Rani signed opposite Saif

The Mukherjee cousins will be starring together opposite Saif Ali Khan in Kunal Kohli's untitled next.


Kajol and Rani had first starred together in Karan Johar's debut film, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and also in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001) where they did not share screen space. Kunal had made Hum Tum with Rani and Saif and later brought back Kajol from her semi-retirement post her marriage to Ajay Devgan for his Aamir starrer Fanaa (2006).

Kunal tells us, "I have an exciting subject in hand with Saif in the lead. There are two female leads in my film and both are very important parts that require actresses of a certain high caliber. I could think of no one else but Rani and Kajol. It wasn't tough getting Rani in but was very difficult to convince Kajol who finally agreed to be a part of my first film as a producer and director."

When is he planning to begin his film's shooting? "I am currently involved with the pre-production planning. Both Rani and Kajol are busy shooting their respective films. Kajol is shooting her film with Ajay (Devgan) as director on a cruise liner near Lakshwadeep islands. Rani is busy with Laaga Chunari Mein Daag. I am starting my film from October", the Fanaa maker reveals to us.

Kunal post Mujhse Dosti Karoge (2002), Hum Tum (2004) and Fanaa (2006) which were all produced under the Yash Raj banner has become a producer with his Saif-Rani-Kajol starrer with Yash Raj presenting his film.

An industry insider comments, "Kajol had delivered an award winning performance in her comeback film with Kunal's Fanaah playing a blind girl. Rani's work too was highly appreciated in Hum Tum. Saif had won a National Award under Kunal's direction for Hum Tum and post his recent illness, Kunal's was the first film, Saif had signed. All of them together in a film make for an interesting combination for Bollywood fans. Kajol is known to be very choosy regarding her selection of films post her comeback. Karan Johar was desperate to cast her in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna but she chose Kunal's Fanaa with Aamir Khan. Karan was again hopeful of getting her for his next, Khan, with Shah Rukh Khan but once again she has chosen the Hum Tum maker over her close buddy Karan."

Kajol and Rani are second cousins, their grandfathers were brothers. They were last seen together in the first episode of Koffee With Karan's new series. Like they individually make the best pair with the King Khan, in this episode too they had SRK for company. Industry has always been talking about Kajol and Rani's hidden animosity about each other but it was impossible to sight it in Karan's show.