Abhishek dumps Just Punjabi

Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan is not doing Bunty Walia's Just Punjabi anymore. Reason? His close friend Apoorva Lakhia isn't directing the project any longer. Lakhia has had a fall-out with Bunty Walia, who was supposed to produce the film.

The fallout didn't happen overnight. Lakhia and Walia developed differences during the making of Ek Ajnabee itself. Says an industry source, "They did not make it evident then, but the differences were irrevocable."

Internal politics?

What was the problem? According to the source, "Walia tended to interfere a lot with the making of the film. One of the other reasons was the presence of Bunty's brother Jaspreet on the sets. There was too much internal politics and bickering."

Apoorva Lakhia

When contacted, Walia admitted that Lakhia was not directing Just Punjabi. However, he claimed that he was unaware that Abhishek had opted out of the film as well. "We're still working on the script. Sanjay Dutt and Abhishek Bachchan have agreed to be part of the film. Abhishek hasn't conveyed to me that he is opting out. He's not in India at the moment. When he returns, I'll meet him."

About Lakhia and him not seeing eye-to-eye during the making of Ek Ajnabee, he said, "Apoorva's like a brother and he's a producer's director. I've nothing against him. I wish him the very best. He told me that he has a contract with a new production house, which has offered him three films. I would not like to come in the way of his future decisions."

Bunty Walia

Weighing the options

Currently, Lakhia is getting ready for Sanjay Gupta's Shootout At Lokhandwala, which he begins on August 1. Lakhia preferred to be diplomatic when asked if his buddy Abhishek would not do Just Punjabi without him. "Ask Abhishek," he said, adding, "Just Punjabi was supposed to start in June or July.

Sanjay Gupta and Sanjay Dutt offered me Shootout At Lokhandwala and I weighed the pros and cons, and opted for Shootout… instead. The script of Just Punjabi is registered under G S Entertainment and I wish the best of luck to Bunty. I am sure he'll make a kick-ass film."