Kareena In Bodyguard ....

The latest news in tinsel town these days is that Katrina Kaif has been replaced by Kareena Kapoor.

Kareena Kapoor is elated. She had one more reason to celebrate her birthday, yesterday. Salman Khan's sister Alvira and her husband Atul Agnihotri have signed her as the female lead opposite in his next project which is a remake of the Malayalam hit "Bodyguard". The film will be directed by Siddique from Kerala who directed the original version.

Bodyguard will mount the floors in December. Trade sources say that though the film is Salman-centric, the female lead needed a very performance-oriented actor. Atul says, "When we saw the original version done by Nayantara, we were convinced that only Kareena Kapoor could do the Hindi version."

Atul Agnihotri, brother-in-law of Salman Khan has roped in Kareena Kapoor to play the lead lady opposite Salman Khan Confirming the news Atul stated "See, we have already decided to release our film during the Eid week next year".

Atul also sets the record straight on Katrina Kaif being chosen for the lead: "When a film is being launched, producers go through the thought-process of which of the top three actresses can one cast. We also thought about who was best suited to Salman bhai in this film. But we hadn't approached anyone. As I said, we were convinced from the start that Kareena would be the best choice."

Atul says that since Bodyguard is a remake, the prep-work on the project is being approached in a very scientific way.

The film is being adapted for a Hindi-speaking audience. Pritam is working on the music and Atul and Alvira will be hands-on producers involved in the creative process as well, because Siddique is new to the Bollywood scene.