The actor has stepped into Saif Ali Khan's shoes in Reema Kagti's upcoming directorial. Mirror was the first to report that Saif Ali Khan has left the Reema Kagti-film, titled Mr. Chaloo, where he was supposed to play a charming womaniser. The actor had remuneration issues with his Dil Chahta Hai producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani and both parties decided to amicably part ways (December 27, 2014). Now, we have learnt that Excel has roped in Shahid Kapoor for the same role. A source close to the development told Mirror, "Shahid recently got a narration. He has responded positively to the story as it's the kind of character that he hasn't done in a while. The makers are now locking the dates for workshops that will start soon."
The source further added that an international crew has been set up for the production and the unit is currently finalising the locations for the film. "They want to put the project on floors as soon as they can. After Saif left the film, their priority was to get the hero in place. With Shahid's nod of approval, the film will finally kick off now." However, it is learnt that the actor will first complete Abhishek Chaubey's Udta Punjab before joining the project. "It's not a long schedule. He's going to be shooting for a couple of weeks, after which he will start Mr. Chaloo." This will be the first time that Shahid and Kangana will be paired opposite each other. The film also features Richa Chadda and Pooja Bhatt in pivotal roles. We contacted Shahid Kapoor but he remained unavailable for comment. While Vikas Bahl's Shandaar, which will mark her debut as an actress, is yet to release, Sanah Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor's younger sister, has already bagged her next project. Shandaar also features her father Pankaj Kapur in a prominent role, and in her second film too Sanah will share screenspace with daddy.
A source told Mirror that the youngster has been roped in for a film titled Abhi Nahi To Kabhi Nahi, produced by Lara Dutta, her husband Mahesh Bhupathi, and Virender Arora. Said a source close to the development, "The film is a romantic, family comedy and it deals with four couples of varying ages and their love stories. While Sanah is part of the youngest couple, Pankaj, will be seen romancing a younger actress." The source added that the makers are bullish on the actress and after a few rounds of narration, locked her for the part. "She represents the voice of the youth in a film that has people from all age groups," added the source. The film also features Kay Kay Menon and Rajeev Khandelwal, and will see Lara Dutta in a prominent role. It is expected to go on floors in May this year and will be extensively shot in Darjeeling. When asked if it was her father who recommended her for the role, our source said, "No, he didn't even know that she's been approached and it was Sanah herself who broke the news to Pankaj that she's doing yet another film with him."
