Having made her debut opposite superstar Salman Khan in Dabangg, Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha has opted out of Race 2 for the sequel of her maiden film. Sonakshi had to pull out of the Abbas Mustan's action thriller on account of date problems which clashed with those of the sequel to the 2010 blockbuster.

"It was unfortunate that I had to opt out of Race 2. I was really looking forward to it. But when the dates of Race 2 were shifted forward I couldn't be part of the film as the shooting for the sequel of Dabangg was to begin from March," Sonakshi said. "So there was no way I could accommodate both films," she said. Sonakshi made her acting debut with Dabangg starring Salman, and the film went on to become one of the highest grossing Bollywood films.

For the sequel, the original cast of Salman and Sonakshi has been retained. However the story will be shifted to a larger city. Director Abhinav Kashyap has opted out of the sequel following which producer Arbaaz Khan has stepped in to the director's shoes.

The sequel will go on floors next year in March and the film is likely to release during Christmas next year. While Race 2 is the sequel to the 2008 hit film, Race starring an ensemble cast of Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Ameesha Patel. The film is schedule to release in November next year.