IMRAN KHAN in Vishal's next with ANUSHKA!

Ajay Devgn opted for Son Of Sardar over Vishal Bhardwaj's upcoming comedy. And now, the filmmaker seems to have finally found a male lead to fill in Devgn's shoes for his next Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola in Aamir Khan's nephew Imran.

Imran will rub shoulders with Anushka Sharma, who remains the leading lady in the film. Fox Star Studios and Vishal Bhardwaj are co producers of the film.

A source informed Mumbai Mirror, "Bhardwaj chose Imran. He sees great potential in him to carry off the role."

Imran Khan and Anushka Sharma are getting paired for the first time. Imran after his successful Delhi Belly and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan seems to have impressed the critically acclaimed director.

"Imran is very excited that he would be working with Bhardwaj. Imran is also happy that he would have a new leading lady, Anushka Sharma, who has not worked with him yet," added the source.

Ajay Devgn was Bhardwaj's first choice to play the male lead in Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola. While the reason behind Devgn's

sudden decision to drop out of the project remains unclear, sources claim Devgn had been lured by the money Viacom 18 Motion

Pictures offered him for Ashwini Dhir's project (Mumbai Mirror, October 15) According to the buzz in the industry, Bhardwaj had then approached Shahid Kapoor for the role. But Shahid declined the offer, citing date-issues (Mumbai Mirror, October 20).

Ajay and Shahid's loss seems to have become Imran's gain. When contacted, Imran Khan said, "I love the script. We are working out the details. It's an honour to be approached by a filmmaker like Vishal Bhardwaj." Bhardwaj remained unavailable for comment.