Kunal Kohli in trouble!

The latest news floating around in the film circle is that the director has approached Neil Nitin Mukesh. Interestingly, Neil worked as an assistant to Kunal Kohli during the making of Mujhse Dosti Karoge, boasting of big starcast of Hrithik Roshan, Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor. However Neil denies the news of Kunal approaching him for his next but did accept that they spoke over the phone a few days ago. "I was away shooting for Madhur sir's Jail in Karjat, so it's been long since we met. But he called me recently and said that we must catch up. I'm back in town now and I'll be meeting him soon," quipped Neil. He was asked whether the once chela will be bailing out his guru, Neil laughs, "He's yet to approach me." Neil is not the first choice to play the lead as prior to this, Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan, too, were approached.

Reportedly, Kohli apparently submitted the same script to Kapoor and Khan and both refused. This lead to the actors making a public issue out it. Kunal was reluctant to speak on the matter but after coaxing he finally said, "I know Ranbir would never speak to damage my project, regardless of whether he does my film or not.Besides I did not submit the same script to the two actors. "

That springs up the question as to why Imran Khan has been comparing notes about his scripts with his colleagues and tomtomming the fact in the press. Its reported that Kohli has just finished his script and will now approach the suitable actor. Rumor mills have it that Kohli will approach Saif Ali Khan.

A theory doing the rounds is that sections of Yashraj Films from where Kohli broke away acrimoniously,  last year were spreading the rumours in the bid to stop top actors from working with him.

But here too, Kunal Kohli gives Yashraj a clean chit. "My wife Raveena still works for Yashraj and my relations with them are cordial. Aditya Chopra is too above all these things. But I would like to say that no actor should disclose which project comes to him. Have you ever heard Mr Bachchan or Shah Rukh talking about what they are offered? My Hum Tum went to Hrithik Roshan and Viveik Oberoi before it came to Saif. Did you ever hear those two actors talking about Hum Tum? Are you aware of how many actors were offered Lagaan? All these premature efforts to talk about my cast is just so annoying."

That concludes in Imran Khan's statements suggesting that Kunal Kohli came to him with the same script that he gave to Imran are premature and unethical.

Last but not least, recent rumors have it that Shahid Kapur might step in to bail Kunal out from his long wait for a leading man.