Mallika Sherawat’s tryst with the Bhatts isn’t over just yet. She might have lost the Murder sequel to Jacqueline Fernandes but the Haryanvi babe is now keen to bag Pooja Bhatt’s Jism 2. Yes, Mallika had a discussion with me about Jism 2, but Pooja will take the final call. She is sharp and will finalise casting,” says filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who also arranged a meeting between Mallika and Pooja. “Mallika and I are good friends despite her blow-hot, blow-cold relationship with my brother and production house (Vishesh Films),” says Bhatt, adding that Mallika never approached him for Murder 2.

Mallika Bipasha, who starred in Jism (2003), is out of contention for the sequel as well as Raaz 3, which now stars Jacqueline. Reportedly, the Bhatts were miffed with Bips after she threw tantrums over an item number in Murder 2. “Definitely, Bipasha and my brother Mukesh have some problems. But I believe in the saying ‘never say never’. Anyway, we (as a banner) don’t necessarily work with stars,” says Bhatt adding he isn’t “really hurt” by the starry attitudes. “I have no delusions that there’s zero gratitude in Bollywood. Everyone has his or her destiny to make. But if you have worked with certain people in the past, you should have basic courtesy to get back to them if they try to get in touch.”