"I'm lucky to have Saif as a partner"

Kareena Kapoor is all praise for her man Saif Ali Khan, with whom she is shooting for director Sriram Raghavan's 'Agent Vinod', and says she is lucky to have him in her life.

"Very few people get love in life and such a supportive partner. Of course, I am very lucky that I have got a partner like Saif. He is a very unique man. His thoughts are much different from others and he always encourages me to work," Kareena said.

She maintains that Saif is like a Hollywood actor, who is ignorant about what's happening around and enjoys his own world.

"Saif is mostly ignorant about what films are in the making or if I have signed any until I tell him about my upcoming projects. He is like a Hollywood actor who stays mostly in his own world. He wants to do certain films and produce movies like Hollywood star," said the actress who teamed up with him in 'Tashan'.

Kareena-Saif celebrate in Paris

Kareena Kapoor's ill on her birthday this year, but she didn't let that stop her from flying down to Paris to be with her man Saif. Even though her mom Babita told the star to rest, she chose to travel so she could with Saif as she turned 30.

Kareena's been swamped shooting for Shah Rukh Khan's 'Ra.One' in the UK and Saif's home production 'Agent Vinod' in Latvia. Plus, she's been shooting lots of ads in between her film shoots. Still, she managed to find time to throw a party for Malaika Arora Khan following 'Dabangg' and also one for buddy Tusshar Kapoor's birthday. But all that work and partying took its toll on her health, and Kareena fell ill.

But just as she wanted to spend her special day with Saif, so Saif wanted to make the day even more special for Bebo. So we hear that they're going to be having a romantic celebration at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. We're sure that'll make up for being under the weather.

Who boycotted Saif and Kareena?

We know from personal experience that there are very few B'wood stars who are punctual. Most of them get away with being hours late for events, but not this time for Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

It seems that when Bebo and Saif got to an event in Mumbai almost two hours later than they were supposed to, the media boycotted them. So what was the reason for this delay? Apparently, the couple were stuck in traffic. Surprising, considering that the event venue was just about half an hour away from their home. The organisers say that they kept updating the journos about this, but that didn't stop them from walking out anyway.

We hear Saif apologised to everyone, but we think he might have also learnt that you can't keep all the people waiting all the time!

Bollywood's top tax payers revealed

Shah Rukh Khan has got back his position as Bollywood's top tax payer. For 2010- 2011, he's paid more taxes than Akshay Kumar, who'd topped the list for 2010-2009. SRK has paid Rs. 5 crores for the second quarter this time round, compared to Akki's 4.5 crores.

They are followed by Aamir Khan, who paid Rs 4 crores. The fourth place is shared by Saif Ali Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, both paying Rs 2.5 crores.

Katrina leads the B'wood heroine brigade, with Rs 1.3 crore. She's followed closely by Kareena Kapoor, who's paid Rs 1 crore.

Someone who's really fallen on this chart is Hrithik Roshan, who's only paid Rs 50 lakhs for the year, compared to Rs 3 crores last year.

Happy Birthday: Saif's birthday plans revealed

Saif Ali Khan turns 40 today (August 16), and girlfriend Kareena Kapoor put together a special vacation to celebrate the big day in style. The couple had been planning a secret birthday getaway for a while now, and it seems the location is the super scenic Gstaad in Switzerland.

Gstaad is famous for its uber luxurious skiing resorts, and Bebo felt that Saif (who loves skiing) would really enjoy the place.

Kareena's been really busy shooting for 'Ra.One' in London recently, and soon after she flew to Mumbai for a few events (we spotted her on an 'Indian Idol' shoot). But then it was time to fly to Switzerland to bring in the big celebrations with Saif.

Here's wishing Saif a very Happy Birthday, and hope the couple have a great holiday!

More trouble for Agent Vinod

All iz not well with Saif Ali Khan's Agent Vinod. Sources reveal that the Morocco schedule of the film went for a huge toss after Saif's co-producer Dinesh Vijan didn't book a certain location as per the guidelines.

As a result, the cast and crew were in for a rude shock when they landed at the place and were denied permission to shoot. The 10-day schedule was cancelled because of the goof-up.

While Saif took off for London, director Sriram Raghavan was left to deal with the entire mess.

Abhishek replacing Saif in 'Race 2'

Buzz is that Saif Ali Khan has opted out of Ramesh Taurani's Race 2. The Chhote Nawab has no dates for the film, with his calendar blocked with Vishal Bhardwaj and Kunal Kohli's next.

Since the Race sequel is still in pre-production stages, Saif thought it would be wise to opt out at an early stage. Chances are that Abhishek Bachchan might step into his shoes. Uh-oh, does this mean now Bebo won't be a part of the film?

Spotted: Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor, Sonali Bendre, Kirron Kher, Malaika Arrora Khan

Kal aaj aur kal! Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan at a special screening of Anjaana Anjaani at Bandra. Saif's kids Sara and Ibrahim were also present. PIC/ RAJU SHELAR

* Sonali Bendre on the sets of India's Got Talent carrying a copy of Tamil Pulp Fiction. We just love a girl who spends her time with her head buried in a good tome, rather than in her own self-obsessed derriere.

PS: And for those wondering if there is any stress between Ms Bendre and Kirron Kher over the disagreement over contestants, be assured there isn't. Sonali says, "Maybe it comes across like that, because of editing sometimes but we get along really well."

* Malaika Arora Khan, Arbaaz Khan and Amrita Arora Ladak celebrating the success of Dabangg at Bilal Amrohi's restaurant in Juhu. Bilal is the grandson of the late filmmaker Kamal Amrohi.

Saif, Kareena's night out

Saif Ali Khan along with girlfriend Kareena at a suburban theatre. The pair was here to watch Ranbir and Priyanka starrer Anjaana Anjaani.

The couple was accompanied by Saif's kids.

Saif: "I am not as good as the Khans”

Actor Saif Ali Khan says he is not in competition with the three other Khans of Bollywood - Aamir, Shah Rukh and Salman. He is happy with the position he has in the industry and adds that he has "a long way to go".

"They have worked in iconic and more successful films. Aamir's debut movie Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was a superhit, Salman's Maine Pyar Kiya was also a superhit, Shah Rukh's done equally good. I am really happy with the position where I am," Saif told reporters on Friday.

"I look forward to doing better films and rising up to that position, but they are senior to me and have worked in great films. They completely deserve the position they are in. I have a lot of respect for them," he said.

The actor was speaking at the Epicentre Auditorium in Apparel House, Gurgaon at the celebration of the Taj Enlighten Film Society, which has been validated as India's Largest Film Society by the Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI).

"I think I do have a niche. I think I have the saleability, I have the ability to roll a project as a producer as well as the lead actor, which in itself is a substantially satisfying achievement. But am I satisfied with the depth of the niche? No, of course not. I want it to be much deeper, work harder. I have a long way to go. Work is in progress."

The actor is now busy with his first production venture spy thriller Agent Vinod, which also stars Kareena Kapoor in the lead.

"It is a very basic story. We are working hard on it and trying to take the action and the drama to another level," he said.

After Omkara, he is again in talks with filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj to star in his new film.

"I am looking forward to working with Vishal Bhardwaj. We are on the verge of finalising things," he added.