Bollywood has a new dispensation. It’s not about getting into a camp or belonging to a clique, but clearly – filmmakers are identifying with stars, who they perceive as being "lucky" for their projects based on their Box Office appeal and success. Vidya Balan set the ball rolling with her successful performances in first The Dirty Picture and then, Kahaani. And director Sujoy Ghosh lost no time in declaring that there was no question of doing a film after Kahaani without repeating the talented actress as his lead protagonist. There is already a buzz in Bollywood that top actors like the Khan triumvirate – Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh, are showing interest in Vidya and her work. None of them have worked with her as yet and would naturally be keen on doing so, now.

Actually, credit for this trend ought to go to Sajid Khan, who started it long ago by signing up Akshay Kumar for all his films after Heyy Babyy. But with Sajid, it’s also to do with friendship. Sajid, who is confident that Akshay will prove good for him again in Housefull 2 that releases next month, says, "Akshay has always been special to me and it’s a pleasure to work with him. He will always be a part of my films. Heyy Babyy was Akshay’s first 50 crore grosser and Housefull 2 will surpass all that."

Sajid opts for comfort and believes that it’s the ease and understanding between the two of them that makes the work easier and convincing. The Khiladi seconds that and gives the credit of success to the great camaraderie Sajid and he share. "My association with Sajid is from long. The best thing about Sajid is that he has not changed, his immaturity has worked for him always," claims Akshay.

Then there is Karan Johar, who also believes in friendship, and for whom Kareena Kapoor is always the first choice. True, she is one of the most sought after actresses in Bollywood, and Karan asserts, "Bebo is the in-house heroine of Dharma Productions." And, on her part, the actress has never hesitated to state that of all the people she knows in Bollywood, it is Karan whom she considers her 2 am friend. Meaning, they share such a level of comfort and intimacy that she would not hesitate to wake him up at 2 am if there was something that was distressing her.

Friendship in Bollywood is taken to a new and teetering height by Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan. They were once friends forever, and their friendship and trust in one another led to the successes of Main Hoon Naa and Om Shanti Om. The director, too, had declared that she couldn’t think of making a film without her best buddy SRK in it. However, in a volte face that shocked Bollywood, Farah roped in Akshay Kumar for her Tees Maar Khan. The film bombed at the Box Office, much to Shah Rukh’s delight, no doubt. And Farah’s friendship with SRK nosedived from then. But, if a façade that is being put up can be believed, then the two are thick pals again and are talking of working on a film together as well. As to what brought them back again – it was the slap that an irritated Bollywood Badshah is reported to have delivered to Farah’s husband Shirish Kunder, who miffed him at a party recently! The patch-up efforts, initiated by Farah’s brother Sajid, brought the old friends close again.