Nicole Kidman to Replace Shakira in a Bollywood Film
They say Bollywood is the next Hollywood, and in some cases, this is becoming more and more a reality.
Brit-Asian has reported that Nicole Kidman will be replacing Shakira in the upcoming Bollywood film, "Gali Gali Mein Chor Hai."
Digital Spy reports that after setting her performance fee too high, The artist famous for her belly dancing skills will be replaced by the Aussie actress.
"We've approached Nicole Kidman to do a song, but I wouldn't call it an item song. We have mailed Nicole the song and her response is positive, just her dates are awaited," commented Rumi Jaffery.
Item songs are Hindi musical performances that may do little with the said movie, but is often used for its marketability. Item songs often show racy and daring dance moves done by women, usually by celebrities, thus creating publicity for the movie.
Kidman, who is now 44, is an Australian American actress, first featured in the 1989 movie "Dead Calm." Some of her well-recognized performances include "Batman Forever", the musical "Moulin Rouge!" and the drama film "The Hours" where she portrayed Virginia Woolf, and won her the Oscar for Best Actress.
"Earlier, Shakira had been approached for it, but due to some monetary issues, it couldn't work out," added the filmmaker, as reported by Digital Spy.
Shakira is famous for her belly dancing skills and vocal prowess. Although not that commercially successful with her two albums, her first English single "Whenever, Wherever" became a worldwide hit. Shakira has won two Grammy awards and a whopping seven Latin Grammy Awards for her work.
Shakira was expected to sing a song for the big-budgeted thriller movie "Azaan," and was finally released last October.
Nicole Kidman and Shakira are not the only big Hollywood names that Bollywood producers have approached to be featured in their films. Kylie Minogue, another Australian heavy hitter, has the record for receiving the highest fee for performing a Bollywood song. She appeared in the movie "BLUE" and performed the song "Chiggy Wiggy."
Currently, it is rumored that the "Moulin Rouge!" star is asking for a pay of or £690,000 for the project.