Ditching Akshay for Akshaye?

After making a successful (Dhadkan) and two unsuccessful films (Han Maine Bhi Pyar Kiya, Bewafaa) with Akshay Kumar, Dharmesh Darshan has taken a cue from his brother Suneel. They've moved on.

While Suneel's recent hit Barsaat featured Bobby Deol, Dharamesh is all set to launch a new film for Venus.

And the leading man this time is Akshaye Khanna who's suddenly become mighty adventurous with his selection of roles. From playing Mahatma Gandhi's son in Feroze Khan's bio-pic to doing Dharamesh Darshan's musical is quite a leap in time and pace!

What's even more surprising is the fact that Venus have decided to produce this down-in-the-dumps director's new hush-hush dream plan. His last film Bewafaa just about broke even in some territories while his earlier two films Mela and Han Maine Bhi Pyar Kiya Hai were unmitigated disasters.

But according to a source, "Dharmesh has completely revamped his style. The excessive 1960s' melodrama will be done way with. This time he's making a very modern love story . He has worked very hard on the script to make sure it's with-it and in keeping with the times."

Dharamesh Darshan's film Aap Ki Khatir said to be loosely inspired from Clare Kilner's romantic comedy The Wedding Date is being shot now. It stars Akshaye Khanna sharing the marquee with Priyanka Chopra for the first time. Like the Abhishek-Karisma Kapoor pair in Dharmesh Darshan's Han Maine Bhi Pyar Kiya, the Priyanka-Akshaye pair is totally untried. The two were supposed to come together in Abbas-Mustan's Humraaz. But Priyanka had opted out.

Earlier Dharamesh's brother Suneel had brought Priyanka and Lara together in the block-'bust'-er Andaz.

Dino Morea, a new entrant to the Darshan production is expected to join the cast as a suave Casanova.

Dharmesh's new "romantic musical" will also feature Suniel Shetty in a pivotal role. Says Suniel, "Dharmesh's Dhadkan gave me a new lease of life as an actor . I'm sure this time he'll again do something mind-blowing."

The director's personal and professional life have been pretty much under a cloud lately. Good to see him bounce back.