Anil Kapoor oped out of 'Thank You' for daughter's sake

Mumbai, April 6 (IANS) Anil Kapoor opted out of 'Thank You' because he was not comfortable playing a Casanova in a film featuring his daughter Sonam and that is when Irrfan Khan stepped in to do his first-ever masala comedy.

'Yes, we did replace Anil with Irrfan. But what to do? Casting circumstances changed in 'Thank You'. And it was no longer decorous to cast Anil Kapoor,' said Bazmee.

Bobby Deol, Akshay Kumar, Irrfan, Suniel Shetty, Celina Jaitely and Rimi Sen forms the cast of 'Thank You', which is releasing Friday.

Initially Katrina Kaif was playing the leading lady and Anil was supposed to feature as the third of the three skirt-chasers in 'Thank You'. But then Sonam stepped in to the picture, Anil stepped out.

The director admits Anil was replaced because of Sonam.

'Earlier it was Katrina Kaif who was doing the heroine's part in 'Thank You'. That's when Anil Kapoor was cast. When Sonam came into the picture, we quickly changed Anil to Irrfan. It would've looked very odd for Anil to play the roving-eyed Casanova in a film featuring his daughter.'

Bazmee says this has not affected his relationship with Anil.

'There should be no hard feelings over that. Anil and I go back a long way. I've worked with him in 'No Entry', 'Welcome' and 'No Problem'. Now I've also worked with his daughter. I've been closely associated with Anil's brother Boney also. I don't think Anil has reason to be unhappy with me,' he said.