Deepika will not be Rajinikanths's Rana heroine

NDTVMovies.Com | Friday, June 15, 2012 (New Delhi)

Deepika Padukone will now inspire one notch less envy in Tamil filmdom after reportedly losing one of her two roles opposite superstar Rajinikanth. She will be Rajini Sir's heroine in the upcoming movie, Kochadaiyaan, but possiblty not in historical action film Rana. Reports suggest that the makers of the film do not want to repeat the pair again for the movie.

"Deepika is already doing Kochadaiyaan with Rajini Sir. And we might not want to repeat the same pair immediately. But we will take the final call when the film's shooting resumes," said director K S Ravikumar.

This is the latest episode in Rana's beleaguered history. The movie was postponed indefinitely in April last year when Rajinikanth fell ill on the very first day of the shoot and had to be hospitalised. While Rana was put on hold, it's heroine Deepika managed to bag the role of Rajnikanth's leading lady in Kochadaiyaan, reported to be a 3D extravaganza on the story of an 8th century emperor.

Rana director K S Ravikumar confirms that he will resume shooting of the film after the release of Kochadaiyaan in November.

Some might say Deepika has come full circle, after replacing Katrina as the Kochadaiyaan heroine. (Read: Deepika Padukone to star against Rajinikanth in Kochadaiyaan ) All it needs now if for Kat to replace her in Rana.