Bombay Samurai gone, kaput...another MAJOR blow to kareena kapoor!

Excel out of Dev Benegal's next; Bebo could lose another coveted project after Shuddhi.

The rumour mills have been busy recently with reports that Dev Benegal's Bombay Samurai, starring Kareena Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar, has been postponed to next year as the script is being reworked.

While buzz is that the film has been aborted, Mirror has learnt that Excel Entertainment, one of the three co-producers, has withdrawn from the project.

According to a source close to the development, Farhan loved the script and wanted the film to roll by March 30. But despite Excel's best efforts, Dev could not start the film on time.

Adds the source, "Firstly, Dev specified that he wanted technicians of his choice on his team. Excel arranged for them but he was unable to wrap up pre-production work on time. And after much deliberation, Ritesh Sidhwani decided to inform him that Excel does not wish to be associated with the film. However, they have parted ways amicably. Dev has a wonderful script and he might get a new producer soon. The star cast too may not remain the same."

While the production house's withdrawal is bad news for Dev, it will also affect Kareena's dates diary. After reports that she has been replaced by Deepika Padukone in Shuddhi, this could be another plum project out of her kitty.

When contacted, Excel Entertainment's head honcho Ritesh Sidhwani confirmed the news saying, "Yes, we are no longer producing Dev's film. We wanted to start last month but he wasn't ready. Now, Farhan (his partner in Excel Entertainment) too is busy with three back-toback films - Zoya Akhtar's Dil Dhadakne Do, Bejoy Nambiar's next being produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rock On 2-so where is the time?"