She is the new hero of Hindi cinema. With Bollywood's recent success in movies that have central themes based on women, actresses have started to command fees that only artists donning the hero used to customarily charge in Hindi filmdom. Take Kareena Kapoor, for instance. For her forthcoming film Heroine, the 31-year-old will become the first actress in the industry to get a share in profits.

As an industry official points out, "She will now be joining the exclusive club of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar who earn big through film rights." Trade analysts are not surprised that Kareena is the one who managed to pull this off. Her box office track record has been impressive. She is, after all, the only heroine who boasts of four movies 3 Idiots, Golmaal 3, Bodyguard and Ra.One that have grossed over Rs 100 crore each in recent times.

Image: Kareena Kapoor in 3 Idiots. Fee in 2010: Rs. 4-5 crore. Present: Asks for profit share in Heroine