By Hindustan Times
Roll out the red carpet and welcome Ranbir Kapoor’s new (on-screen) girl. For Abhinav Kashyap’s Besharm, the makers have zeroed in on Indo-Australian actor-dancer Pallavi Sharda. Apparently, Parineeti Chopra was also within the running, but things didn’t work out.
“Pallavi was confirmed for Besharm. As for Parineeti, she had auditioned for the part, however the makers weren’t convinced. Later, once they stumbled on Pallavi, they unanimously agreed that she fit the role perfectly. She signed the contract a couple of days ago,”
says an insider with regards to the production house.
Pallavi have been seen in small roles in films like Love Breakups Zindagi (2011), Dus Tola (2010) and My Name Is Khan (2010).
“This is her big break. Besides the makers, Ranbir also feels that Pallavi fits the bill,” says the insider, adding that the film’s shooting starts around October-November.
Interestingly, Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter Alia (who makes her debut in Karan Johar’s Student Of The Year) and Sonakshi Sinha’s name were also doing the rounds. “We don't seem to be acutely aware of Alia and Sonakshi, but Parineeti surely came for the auditions at Abhinav’s office,” says the insider.
Pallavi, on her part, remains guarded. When asked if she has signed any big Bollywood films, all she says is: “A few things are working out, but I can’t comment until the announcement is made.”
Although not much is understood about Besharm’s storyline, it’s believed that Ranbir will play a street-smart, uneducated ‘tapori’ (ruffian). He steals the heroine’s car resulting in their encounters. The actor is also attending a couple of workshops to get into
character.
Who’s Pallavi?
She is an Indo-Australian actor and a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. Born in Perth, Australia, and taken up in Melbourne, she was crowned Miss India Australia in 2010. She may be the lead actor in Taj Express, a theatrical-musical directed by Shruti Merchant and choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant, and is ready to make her Australian film debut within the comedy film, Save Your Legs.
