ShivPandit refuses NH10, RajKumar finds out he's ousted from papers

Anushka Sharma is likely to have a tough time finalising a hero to act opposite her in her first productionNH10. Not for any other reason except that the film she is making is a heroine-centric one. Obviously that means none of the top actors are likely to star in it. Even the newer lot of heroes like Varun Dhawan, Siddharth Malhotra, Sushant Singh Rajput and Aditya Roy Kapur seem like very optimistic choices. Anushka realises that, which is perhaps why the first actor approached for the film was Shiv Pandit, who was last seen as Akshay Kumar's younger brother in Boss. But we hear even he has turned down the part.

The film being directed by Navdeep Singh (Manorama Six Feet Under) is an action-thriller about a road trip gone wrong.

Reveals a source connected to the project, "Shiv was offered NH10 almost two months ago. He got a narration and though it was the main lead, he turned it down." It is learnt that while Shiv was keen to work with Anushka and Navdeep, he refused the part because he doesn't want to do a heroine-centric film at this point of his career. He is hungry for some exciting work, but not hungry enough to do a film which he might regret in the future. Besides, he has a three-film contract with Akshay's production company and can afford to be choosy. However, he doesn't want to give the impression that he is being difficult so denies being approached for the film, "It's not true.

Navdeep had approached me a couple of months ago but I was busy promoting Boss. Though we met a few times nothing went beyond that. I don't know who is producing the film or if it is a heroine-oriented script. I had been travelling and haven't connected with Navdeep after that. I know NH10 is a thriller but I don't know much about the script. I want to do a killer role now after Boss."

A source close to production confirms that Shiv was approached but he refused the role, "As the plot revolves around the heroine, Shiv left the film."

Mired in controversy!
NH10 appears to be mired in controversy even before shooting has started. First Freida Pinto walked out after signing the film in November last year citing that the producers were taking it slow. Navdeep then approached Anushka who agreed to do it on the condition that she would co-produce it. Now the latest reports suggest Anushka has got Shahid actor, Raj Kumar Yadav thrown out of the film as she felt he wasn't big enough.

Raj Kumar, who has reportedly been shown the door from Navdeep Singh's upcoming movie NH10, had no inkling about his unceremonious exit from the project.

Raj Kumar. Pic/Nimesh Dave

The actor, who is in New Delhi to celebrate Diwali with his family, states that he learnt from a newspaper report that he has been dropped from the project..

Raj Kumar says, "I had no clue about what's happening. No one from the production house informed me. I was the first to be taken on board for the project and I have not been informed about the changes."

He adds, "I am starting another film in two weeks and the dates will clash. Now even if they ask me to do it, I can't because I only do one film at a time."
Raj Kumar is slated to begin shooting for City Lights, produced by Mahesh Bhatt.

NH 10 was initially announced with Freida Pinto as the female lead. After she opted out due to the dillydallying by the makers of the film, Anushka Sharma was roped in. to play the lead and as the co-producer of the film. Raj Kumar was apparently dropped at Anushka's behest and Neil Bhoopalam, who features in the television series 24, was roped in.

The makers of the film remained unavailable for comment.