Saif Ali and I will be smouldering-hot: Kareena

Apparently in the beginning the leading lady’s role
in Agent Vinod was relatively less substantial than Saif’s.Says a source, “In
fact Kareena wasn’t sure she wanted to do Agent Vinod because the title clearly
indicated whom the film belonged to. But Saif convinced Kareena that her role
would be on a par with his. Then he convinced Sriram with whom Saif has a good
rapport since they did Ek Hasina Thi together to make sure Kareena’s presence in
the film is justified.Quiz Kareena about this, and she laughs, “Do you think I’d
agree to be part of the film if my role was not as exciting as Saif? I mean, can
you imagine what would happen?

Saif and I will be smouldering-hot in Agent Vinod.
Even the posters will be designed to highlight us as the coolest hot pair.
Clearly, after Rensil D’Silva’s terrorist drama in which Saif and Kareena look
and act very real, pair is in no mood to get into the authentic space once
again. But here’s where the problem sets in. While Kareena and Saif are looking
to do a high-gloss big-budget espionage thriller, director Sriram Raghavan is
looking at making a gritty life-like spy drama.Says Raghavan, “I grew up
watching those really filmy spy films like Farz, Aankhen, Yakeen and of course
the Rajshris’ Agent Vinod. I’ve been fascinated by the genre. However times have
changed and so have definitions of espionage.

My film will occupy a more real space. He admits his
spy drama will be more in the mood of Mani Shankar’s recent Mukhbir than the old
Agent Vinod. At the same time Raghavan admits the high budget of the new-age
Agent Vinod forbids any over experimentation, “I’ve never worked on this kind of
a budget before. And I can’t afford to be experimental. The market has to be
kept in mind. So there will be music and songs. But no lip sync songs.” With
Saif wanting to be Tom Cruise and Kareena looking as hot as Nicole Kidman in his
arms, Sriram Raghavan could be heading for more excitement than he bargained
when he starts shooting in July.