In the mega clash of "Om Shanti Om" and "Saawariya" in 2007, debutante Deepika Padukone had emerged a clear box office-winner against first-timer Sonam Kapoor. Seven years later, the question is - will Deepika continue to remain a step ahead on the success ladder with "Finding Fanny" or will Sonam take a lead this time with "Khoobsurat"?
Both the films are releasing within a week's time this month.
Deepika's film is releasing Sep 12, while Sonam's new offering hits the screens Sep 19 - and both actresses are going out of their way to ensure their movies are promoted in the best possible manner.
"Finding Fanny", an English language entertainer by Indian filmmaker Homi Adajania, is definitely not a film that every actress will risk -- especially after delivering four back-to-back Bollywood hits "Race 2", "Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani", "Chennai Express" and "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela". But Deepika took it.
Nevertheless, one should give it to Sonam for choosing to step into the shoes of the enigmatic Rekha for "Khoobsurat", the new age twist on the 1980 film "Khubsoorat" -- one of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's evergreen films and which continues to have a dedicated fan following even after more than three decades.
Both the actresses come from different backgrounds. Sonam comes from a family of actors and filmmakers -- her father Anil Kapoor is a veteran actor, uncle Boney is a film producer and her youngest uncle Sanjay is an actor too. Deepika's father, Prakash Padukone, is the country's badminton icon.
Yet, it is Deepika who has managed to cement her space in Bollywood as a performer, better than Sonam, who has been more in news for her fashion sensibilities despite having the talent to carry out roles as different as in "Aisha" and "Delhi-6".
After getting a perfect launchpad with "Om Shanti Om" -- a Shah Rukh Khan-starrer which turned out to be a huge hit, Deepika went on to prove her mettle with a mix of films like "Bachna Ae Haseeno", "Love Aaj Kal", "Housefull", "Aarakshan" and "Cocktail".
The Bangalore girl had her share of flops too in the form of "Chandni Chowk to China", "Karthik Calling Karthik", "Lafangey Parindey", "Break Ke Baad" and "Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey" -- but her four recent back-to-back gems catapulted her into a league of her own.
Sonam, who made her debut with Kapoor scion Ranbir in "Saawariya", on the other hand, has few hits to boast of in her filmography.
She bagged roles in biggies like "Thank You", "Mausam" and "Players", but all bit the dust at the ticket windows. Her work in "Raanjhanaa" was appreciated, but in "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", her appearance was as good as a cameo.
Interestingly, her presence in tinsel town is strengthened more due to her fashionista image and her designer wardrobe.
Earlier this year, Sonam was seen in "Bewakoofiyaan", which didn't elicit the response she would've expected. Her hopes are high from "Khoobsurat", which promises to show her in an exuberant and lively avatar. Another highlight of the film is that she is paired with Pakistani sensation Fawad Khan.
Meanwhile, Deepika is also hoping to strike gold yet again with the offbeat "Finding Fanny".
But there's no mean competition here - or so it seemed from photographs from a "Finding Fanny" screening, where Deepika gave Sonam a warm welcome in Mumbai.
Let the movies play!
