It’s no show for Ratnam's script
by: Ram Kamal Mukherjee
- mumbaimirror.com
This is the first time that Mani Ratnam is finding it difficult to get a star for his next, Guru. He can't find a hero opposite Vidya Balan in his film. Ratnam has signed Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai as the lead pair of his film, while Vidya Balan has been finalised as the second lead. But it seems that most of the Bollywood actors are giving this ace filmmaker grief as none of them seem to be interested in playing second lead to AB Jr.
Mani had personally called Vivek Oberoi for the film, Vivek too showed interest in working with Mani again after Yuva. An industry insider reveals, “Vivek wanted to work with Mani sir, he had asked for a complete narration of the script but Mani kept on delaying. He needed to know his role in the film, more so because Abhishek Bachchan is in the main lead. He has no problem in working with Abhishek and Ash, but he didn't want to do an inconsequential role.”
However, Mani didn't narrate the role, and approached John Abraham instead. But John too wanted a narration, which was not given. A close associate of Mani Ratnam informs, “Actually the final script is yet not ready. Anurag Kashyap is still writing the script and once it's over, Mani will be able to give a narration.”
Finally, out of sheer desperation, Mani approached Saif Ali Khan for the role, but he too politely turned down the offer stating 'date problems'. Now the latest development is that Mani has approached Kunal Kapoor and Madhavan for the role. When contacted, Kunal Kapoor says, “Nothing has been finalised yet. I need to read the script.”
It seems that most of the actors are clueless about their fellow actors in the film. “Mani keeps the casting a completely hush-hush affair. No one is informed about the story idea and the cast until the film goes on the floors,” says our source. Actress Vidya Balan, for instance, is clueless about her hero. “I don't care who will be my hero. I am excited that I am working with Mani sir,” Vidya smiles.
Incidentally, Mani is supposed to start the shooting of the film from the first week of April, in Chennai. “Mani sir has already blocked the dates of Aishwarya. As soon as she is back from Melbourne, she and Abhishek will join Mani sir in Chennai,” informs Hari Singh, business manager of Ash.
While we go to press, we have been informed by our source that Mani Ratnam is disappointed with the attitude of Bollywood actors, and he wants to cast a fresh face opposite Vidya Balan. “Mani sir will come to Mumbai to conduct screen tests and in all probability he might sign on a new face for the film,” he informs.
Related Links:
03/22/06 Mum’s the word for Guru - mid-day.com
03/13/06 Mallika in Mani Ratnam's film - mumbaimirror.com
03/13/06 Mithun in Ratnam’s next, Guru - mumbaimirror.com
02/13/06 Hari Singh on Aishwarya's schedule - dnaindia.com
01/29/06 Mani Ratnam to direct Aishwarya & Abhishek?
Guru: News Updates
