Sign Kareena? I've never met her in my life: Umesh Shukla

It may make juicy copy to say Abhishek Bachchan would be paired with Kareena Kapoor in Umesh Shukla’s untitled film. But regrettably, it is not the truth. Poohpoohing a report on Saturday in a tabloid that Kareena is “seriously considering” director Umesh Shukla’s offer to star in his next with Abhishek, Umesh says, “I’ve never in my life met Kareena Kapoor, let alone offer her a role. The closest I’ve come to her is while sitting some rows behind her at awards function. I’ve never approached her for any role.” Aghast and amused Umesh says, “The tabloid’s imagination takes my breath away. According to them I had an hour-long meeting with her and now I’m supposed to give her a full narration on Monday. All this is news to me. Obviously the reporter who wrote this article knows more about my activities than I do. Maybe I’ve been sleepwalking through my meeting with Kareena.” Umesh further informs there is no heroine for his film, nor a title. “I will approach a leading lady after I lock in the script this week. I’ve so far only finalized Rishi Kapoor and Abhishek for the film.” Why not Paresh Rawal after their amazing rapport in Oh My God? “Because the personality and spoken language required in this film suited Rishiji more. But I will miss Pareshji immensely in this film. I will work with him again in the near future. That’s a promise I’ve made to myself.”