| Aishwarya Rai couldn't be Heroine because she was pregnant. And Kareena, who is Heroine, can't be Leela in Bhansali's Ram Leela because she's getting married.
While the actress said she had walked out from the Gujarati adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the filmmaker says he was the one to take the call not to work with her for this project.
"A Juliet no matter how far removed from Shakespeare's original vision of her cannot be a married woman. With images of her wedding festivities flashing all over, it would have been impossible for Kareena to pass herself as a Gujju Juliet despite her great talent," a source close to Bhansali said.
Initial mutual excitement over finally working together dissolved into doubts and misgivings because, the source added, Kareena was not being clear about her wedding dates. "Sanjay holds no grudge against the actress although she was less than honest with him about her wedding plans," the source said.
To start with, the announcement of her wedding came as a bolt from the blue to the director. "It threw up a series of frightening scenarios. Kareena would, understandably, get busy with pre-wedding and post-wedding events. In the midst of her wedding in October, Kareena also needed at least a month to promote Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine which releases a month ahead of her wedding date."
"The parting was anything but acrimonious. Sanjay was surprised to read on Monday morning that Kareena had 'walked out' of Ram Leela. The truth is, this was building up for a long time. And money was the least of the problems. Sanjay was extremely keen to work with Kareena. She thinks she is an exceptional actress."
According to this source, it was too early to decide who would step into Kareena Kapoor's sharp stilettos. A friend of Sanjay's, requesting anonymity, said, "It isn't easy to find a replacement for Kareena. Sanjay isn't even trying. He is now looking for a completely new Leela."
This is the third time Bhansali and Kareena have come 'this' close to working with each other. She was earlier offered Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas - both of which eventually starred Aishwarya.
Filmmakers react to Bebo's claim of leaving Ram Leela due to monetary issues
Mukesh Bhatt: While I understand a director should be clear about the number of days he needs to shoot a particular film, no actor should ask for extra money in case the schedule gets extended. Actors are on contract basis, they aren't paid per day. In fact, every actor should follow the director's vision. Warna picture achchi kaise banegi? These are some ethics people should follow.
Ramesh Taurani: No actor has demanded extra money from me so far. We are very clear with out schedules. However, a spill over of five to seven days is normal. And then if an actor demands for extra money, it is not fair. However, fifty extra days is really high. So, in this case, an actor is certainly justified.
Pahlaj Nihalani: An actor is paid an acting fee for the entire project. They don't earn daily wages. If the number of working days increase, the acting fee will also raise accordingly. However, I haven't come across such a situation in my career.
Subhash Ghai: Business model has changed. Work ethics have changed. Gone are the old traditions. So today, you have to accept such things whether you like it or not. But on the other hand, we have artistes who run away from the middle of the shoot or report late and are found shooting for commercials. I think we need to have everything in black and white. - Vickey Lalwani |
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