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Kareena Kapoor Khan will star opposite Salman Khan in Bharat, at least so say rumours doing the rounds. Reports had surfaced with names such as Priyanka Chopra, Shraddha Kapoor and Katrina Kaif as probable leading ladies opposite Salman in this Ali Abbas Zafar film. The makers, however, have not made any official announcement. Produced by Atul Agnihotri, the film will go on floors in April. It is expected to be shot in Abu Dhabi, Spain, Delhi and Punjab.

Shoojit Sircar’s October made the most of the weekend with a business of Rs 20 crore. The Varun Dhawan starrer made a slow start at the box office, but made a significant jump on the weekend, raking in Rs 7.47 crore on Saturday. Its Sunday collection was Rs 7.74 crore. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh said: “October made a slow start, but the high-end multiplex audiences have taken to the film and business on the weekend showed an upward trend. This is not a film for the single screen or the mass belt that is Varun’s stronghold. So, we will have to wait and watch how it performs on weekdays.’’ The film is already in the green, much to relief of the producers. Exhibitor Akshaye Rathi said: “It is a smartly made film in terms of budget and actual cost.” He also said Varun charged less than his usual fees and that made the film possible. (Bharati K. Dubey)