Posted:
Gentle' Imran won't work with Aggressive' Ekta
By Ankur Pathak, Mumbai Mirror | Aug 29, 2013, 12.00 AM IST
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A few days ago, Imran Khan was replaced by Shahid Kapoor in Tigmanshu Dhulia's Milan Talkies, produced by Balaji Motion Pictures. The official version maintained that Imran opted out because of a clash of dates with his schedule for Vikramaditya Motwane's Bhavesh Joshi.
But Mirror dug deeper to discover a less tranquil turn of events.
A source close to both the parties told Mirror that the fracas began soon after Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara finished shooting.
Ekta Kapoor, the film's producer and Balaji head honcho promptly fell out with its star Imran over the promotional strategy of the film.
Industry insiders say that Imran was not comfortable with the aggressive strategy adopted by Balaji and had numerable debates with the production house about the same.
Imran decided on a non-cooperation strategy and it was only when Akshay Kumar stepped in did Imran budge and agree to actively participate in the promotional activities of OUATIMD.
However, the elder Gods at Balaji weren't very happy with Imran's stiff resistance. "They felt that similar problems would emerge when Milan Talkies got ready to roll. And so in order to avoid a deja vu, Imran was dropped from the project. It was decided that Shahid will replace Imran as he is a popular face. Also, he has never worked with Balaji before," said the source.
On the other hand, sources close to Imran claim that it was his decision to part ways with Balaji. "Imran is not comfortable with the ways of Balaji and has decided not to work with them again." However director Tigmanshu Dhulia maintained that he would like to work with Imran in future. He said: "I have no differences with Imran. If not now, I will surely work with him sometime later."
When contacted, Tanuj Garg, CEO, Balaji Motion Pictures, declined to comment on the rift between Imran and the production house, but said: "Tigmanshu is one of the best directors in the industry today and Milan Talkies is keenly awaited. Shahid expressed his interest in working with us and most importantly, we feel that he is the right choice for the film."
To which Imran shot back saying, "Tanuj Garg is a very smart guy. I wish Shahid the very best of luck. He's going to need it."
But Mirror dug deeper to discover a less tranquil turn of events.
A source close to both the parties told Mirror that the fracas began soon after Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara finished shooting.
Ekta Kapoor, the film's producer and Balaji head honcho promptly fell out with its star Imran over the promotional strategy of the film.
Industry insiders say that Imran was not comfortable with the aggressive strategy adopted by Balaji and had numerable debates with the production house about the same.
Imran decided on a non-cooperation strategy and it was only when Akshay Kumar stepped in did Imran budge and agree to actively participate in the promotional activities of OUATIMD.
However, the elder Gods at Balaji weren't very happy with Imran's stiff resistance. "They felt that similar problems would emerge when Milan Talkies got ready to roll. And so in order to avoid a deja vu, Imran was dropped from the project. It was decided that Shahid will replace Imran as he is a popular face. Also, he has never worked with Balaji before," said the source.
On the other hand, sources close to Imran claim that it was his decision to part ways with Balaji. "Imran is not comfortable with the ways of Balaji and has decided not to work with them again." However director Tigmanshu Dhulia maintained that he would like to work with Imran in future. He said: "I have no differences with Imran. If not now, I will surely work with him sometime later."
When contacted, Tanuj Garg, CEO, Balaji Motion Pictures, declined to comment on the rift between Imran and the production house, but said: "Tigmanshu is one of the best directors in the industry today and Milan Talkies is keenly awaited. Shahid expressed his interest in working with us and most importantly, we feel that he is the right choice for the film."
To which Imran shot back saying, "Tanuj Garg is a very smart guy. I wish Shahid the very best of luck. He's going to need it."
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