Kareena Kapoor
Kareena KapoorVarinder Chawla

Bollywood's leading ladies Kareena Kapoor Khan and Deepika Padukone are competing to star in Madhur Bhandarkar's next project.

A report by Deccan Chronicle claims the "Fashion" director is now in two minds, having to choose between Padukone and Khan for his next.

As per earlier reports, Bhandarkar was considering only the "Chennai Express" actress for the project. However, his good rapport with Khan, whom worked with in "Heroine" (2012), has now landed him in a difficult position.

Also, now that both actresses have said yes to the script, it has become a tricky situation for Bhandarkar. It now depends on the director to choose the most suitable actress for the part.

Meanwhile, buzz is that Khan is quite eager to star in the director's next, and does not wish to lose out to Padukone.

It is a well known fact that the 33-year-old has lost out on numerous projects, including Sanjay Leela Bhansali's superhit "Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-leela", to Padukone and added to the younger actress' success ratio.

And now it appears Khan is no mood to miss out to Padukone again, who already has an envious line-up of films in her kitty.

Padukone currently has "Happy New Year", "Finding Fanny", "Piku", "Tamasha" and the rumoured "Bajirao Mastani" lined up, while Khan will be seen in "Singham 2" and then in "Gabbar" in a supporting role.

Also, ever since the fate of "Bombay Samurai" with Farhan Akhtar became uncertain, Khan is in need of a promising project, which she has now identified as Bhandarkar's upcoming film.

(Ed: VP)