Hrithik Roshan opposite Deepika Padukone in Excel Entertainments ne

Hrithik-Deepika will be seen together for the first time

Aamir Khan, after failed talks with Excel Entertainment, opted out of the production house's next travel-drama. BizAsia can confirm that Hrithik Roshan has been signed for the role in Khan's place.

Khan was apparently unable to agree with Excel Entertainment on finances so decided to step away from the project. The film will be directed by Nitya Mehra and will see Deepika Padukone as leading lady - making it the first time Roshan and her will share the screen.

A source confirmed the news to Mumbai Mirror, "The film is a sci-fi drama with a time-travel spin. It has a romantic angle which spans across timelines. When the script went to Hrithik, he was impressed and promptly agreed to come on board. It's a film which will be made on a lavish scale and is expected to go on floors in February 2015 by which time she [Deepika] should be done with Karan Johar's Shuddhi."

This fresh pairing will no doubt work wonders for the pre-excitement of the film.