Katrina, Kareena, Priyanka: Actors these 3 haven't been paired with for a long time now!

Unconventional pairings where the heroine is older to the hero, or fresh pairings that bring together an actor and actress who have never co-starred before are in vogue. But what about pairs who had sizzled on screen and haven’t come together for a long time. Wouldn’t bringing those jodis back after a huge gap be interesting? We explore the idea and present three heroines who made hit pairs with some heroes and whom we would like to see again on screen.    

KATRINA KAIF

6 years

With Akshay Kumar

First film (2006): Humko Deewana Kar Gaye
Last film (2010): Tees Maar Khan

Their film history: Her stunning NRI beauty complements his ruggedly good-looking desi boy looks. When they come together, sparks fly. No wonder then, Kat and Akshay did six films together, starting with Humko Deewana Kar Gaye. The film flopped, but the pairing was noticed and Vipul Shah cast them in Namastey London, a blockbuster and they went on to deliver a hat-trick of hits with Welcome and Singh Is Kinng. De Dana Dan followed.

Their next outing, Tees Maar Khan in 2010 was a flop and since then, the duo haven’t shared screen space.  Reportedly, she was offered the sequels Namaste England and Singh Is Bliing, but she nixed the offers. Recently, Kat said, “I think Akshay and I make the best pair ever.” She added that she was looking forward to doing a great film together. Well, so are we.

With Salman Khan

4 years

First film (2005): Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya

Last film (2012): Ek Tha Tiger 

Their film history: After Akshay, Kat made a hit pair with Salman Khan. First came Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya, a romantic triangle with a comic touch. Talk of the two being a real-life couple began doing the rounds immediately.

Then came Partner, but Kat was paired with Govinda. Salman and Katrina were paired romantically in Yuvvraaj, but it was a flop, giving credence to the theory that real-life couples don’t work on screen. After a long cool-down period, Kabir Khan chose to cast her opposite Salman in the thriller Ek Tha Tiger. By then, the two had broken up and curiosity levels on seeing the exes together on screen had peaked. The dashing pair played spies in the film, which was a huge hit at the box-office. That was in 2012. Recently, speculation was rife about Kat starring opposite Khan in Kabir’s next Tubelight, but the film requires a Chinese actress. No sweat, Salman has two more films lined up in the immediate future, the heroines of which are to be finalised. Let’s see if Kat features in any. After all, exes paring up again, has always piqued fan interest.

With John Abraham

7 years

Only film (2009) New York

Their film history: As a pair, they made for some great eye-candy in this thriller revolving around the aftermath of 9/11. The two did some steamy  scenes together and for the first time Kat was seen smooching a co-star on screen. There was talk of the two getting close off- screen too as Katrina had just broken up with her then-beau, Salman. Whatever the reason, the John-Kat chemistry worked and the film was a hit. It’s seven years now, and it’s puzzling why nobody cast this hot pair again!

With Ranbir Kapoor

6 years

First film (2009): Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani

Last film (2010): Raajneeti

Their film history: They first teamed up for the wacky love story in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and it wasn’t long before their on screen romance extended to their real life. Kat-Ranbir, who make for a good-looking couple, were then cast in the politcial drama Raajneeti. Though they played star-crossed lovers in the film, their sexual magnetism was plain to see. The movie was a success, and the two teamed up for Ranbir’s home production Jagga Jasoos. However, even before the  film that has been in the making for two years makes it to the screen, the two have broken up. The film has also been delayed and will be released only next year.  

PRIYANKA CHOPRA

With Shah Rukh Khan

5 years 

First film (2006): Don
Last film (2011): Don2  

Their film history: While talking about her character in Don, co-starring Shah Rukh, Priyanka had said in an interview, “There is intrigue and a latent chemistry in our screen equation.” One couldn’t have put it better. There is something about SRK and his junglee billi that when they come together, they set the screen ablaze with their passion. Both Don and its sequel (made in 2011) were blockbusters. Though there has been talk of a third film in the franchise, there is uncertainty about PC being a part of it. If you ask us, only Priyanka can be SRK’s junglee billi. This is one pair that needs to get back pronto.    

With Salman Khan

8 years

First film (2004): Mujshe Shaadi Karogi
Last film (2008): God Tussi Great Ho

Their film history: They were paired for the first time in the love triangle Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. Though PC already had a good equation with Akshay, with Salman she shared a cool chemistry. Not surprisingly, it was his character who wins her over. In their next outing, Salaam-E-Ishq, she was this wacky girl and Salman played up to her quirkiness with the right amount of indulgence and cockiness. It was a made-for-each-other pairing. They teamed up soon after in God Tussi Great Ho. The film didn’t do well, and it’s been eight years since the duo did a film together. There was talk about things going sour between the two when she refused to be part of Khan’s Main Aurr Mrs Khanna. But that seems to be a thing of the past as PC recently visited Salman’s sister Arpita. So, how about doing a movie together, too?

With Abhishek Bachchan

8 years

First film (2005): Bluffmaster
Last film (2008): Dostana

Their film history: They came together for the first time in the romcom Bluffmaster and became close friends. Their comfort and ease with each other reflected on screen. In fact, it was Abhishek who gave her the nickname Piggy Chops. The pair complemented each other so well that they did two films back-to-back, Drona and Dostana in 2008. While Drona tanked, Dostana was a super-hit. But the two haven’t teamed up after that. There were rumours about some differences between the two after Dostana, hope they sort them out and team up for a film soon.

With Akshay Kumar

11 years

First film (2003): Andaaz
Last film (2005): Waqt: The Race Against Time

Their film history: She made her debut opposite him in Andaaz. Since then, whenever the two have come together, be it Mujhse Shaadi Karoge or Waqt, they have scorched the screen. Even in Aitraaz, in which PC had a negative role, the sexual tension between them was palpable. Yet, the two strangely didn’t get together after Waqt, which released over a decade ago. While Akshay found successful pairings with Katrina and Sonakshi Sinha, PC moved on co-starring with the Khans and GenNext actors like Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh.  But we are sure that if the Khiladi and the desi girl come together again, they will sizzle.

KAREENA KAPOOR KHAN

With Saif Ali Khan

4 years

First film (2008): Tashan
Last film (2012): Agent Vinod

Their film history: The hot diva and the stylish hunk — Kareena and Saif make for a great pair, both in reel and real life. They were first seen together in Omkara, but they weren’t paired together.  Then came Tashan and though the film didn’t do well, the shirtless Saif and bikini-clad Kareena set temperatures soaring. They came together again in Kurbaan and Agent Vinod, both espionage thrillers. The films, however, didn’t work and the duo has since then shied away from working together. Though their romance bloomed in Tashan, on-screen Kareena was paired opposite Akshay. Maybe the Begum and her Nawab should star in a love story with depth and a dash of humour. Saif has great comic timing and Kareena with her talents can shine in any role.

With Hrithik Roshan

13 years

First film (2001): Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Last film (2003): Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon 

Their film history: They were supposed to make their debut together with Kaho Naa Pyar Hai, but Kareena opted out just before the film went on the floors and the rest is history. They finally teamed up in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and what a pair they made! The snobbish college hottie and the handsome dude set the screen ablaze with their crackling chemistry. Yaadein, Mujhse Dosti Karoge and Main Prem Ki Diwani hoon followed, and though the duo sizzled in all, the films fared badly. That, along with the rumours of them seeing each other in real life, put an end to their association on screen till they were cast together in Shuddhi. However, before it could roll, Hrithik opted out and so did Kareena saying, “The reason I did the film was Hrithik. But when he didn’t do it, I opted out as well.” Let’s hope somebody casts these two hot stars in another film soon.

With Tusshar Kapoor

14 years

First film (2001): Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai
Last film (2002): Jeena Sirf Merre Liye

Their film history: It was with Tusshar Kapoor that Kareena got her first hit. She had made her debut with Refugee, which failed at the box-office. It was Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai with Tusshar that catapulted both to fame. And the two made for a sweet pair. The duo came together again in Jeena Sirf Merre Liye playing childhood sweethearts, but the film flopped. That, however, didn’t come in the way of their budding friendship. In fact, the two became quite thick and share a warm friendship till date. They shared screen space in Golmaal Returns and Golmaal 3, but weren’t romantically paired. It will be interesting to see these two teaming up again in an unusual love story.

With Abhishek Bachchan

13 years

First film (2000): Refugee
Last film (2003): Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon

Their film history: They made their debut together in Refugee and though the cross-border love story didn’t work, their romantic sparks were noticed. But the two barely did a couple of films after that. Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon saw them sharing screen space, but it was a love triangle. In Yuva, they weren’t paired with each other. Their last film together was in 2003 and both Abhishek and Kareena have said they would love to work with each other again. What are filmmakers waiting for?  

With Shahid Kapoor

11 years

First film (2004): Fida
Last film (2007): Jab We Met

Their film history: He was the chocolate boy and she was the pretty Punjabi kudi — no prizes for guessing that both fall in love instantly. That was in Fida, the first film they came together. But that pretty much summed up their story too as their on screen romance extended to their real life. The two were then seen in a spate of films together — 36 China Town, Chup Chup Ke and Milenge Milenge. However, none of these worked at the box-office till Jab We Met happened. Ironically, the romantic film that proved to be a turning poing for both Kareena and Shahid in their careers, also spelled doom for their relationship. By the end of the film’s shoot, the two had broken up.

And while all their earlier outings had failed, this one which led to their break up was a blockbuster! And they have never paired together till date. Yes, Udta Punjab had the two in the film, but they didn’t share screen space. However, recently when asked about her chemistry with Shahid, Kareena said it was super-hot. Even Shahid has expressed willingness to work with his ex again. Definitely time to get this “superhot” jodi back again on screen, right?