Ever since they did Hum Tum and Tara Rum Pum together, Rani and Saif have shared a very special platonic friendship. "Rani is one co-star I can open my heart to. She's a pal. And she truly listens," says Saif. Rani and Saif had plenty of time to bond even better in the weeks that they spent together in Bangkok shooting for Kunal Kohli's new untitled film where Rani plays a nanny to Saif's character's kids.

Says a source close to both the actors, "Since Rani doesn't have more than one costume change in the film there was plenty of extra time to converse with her co-star. Saif and she were constantly huddled together. And their topic of conversation? Kareena! Being away from Mumbai Saif was missing his ‘ladylove’ all the time. He couldn't help talking about Kareena all the time. Moreover, Rani was attentive and sympathetic. She not only gave Saif a sympathetic shoulder, she even convinced Saif of what a wonderful girl Kareena is… not that he needed convincing."

Rani's new fondness for Kareena is a surprise, considering their long-standing hostility. The two leading ladies started off as pals during the shooting of Kunal Kohli's Mujhse Dosti Karoge. But somewhere down the line, like all filmy friendships among female actors, the Rani-Kareena dosti soured. Hence, there was a collective gasp of surprise when in a recent interview Kareena singled Rani out as a good actress. Says a source, "Kareena has lately softened towards Rani. This change of heart was because of the way Rani heard Saif out on his love.” With so many filmy friendships going kaput, here is one renewed bonding between the two Bollywood beauties worth a mention.