Rubina Dilaik is the new Jeannie

Rubina is Jeannie, not Shivshakti

Chaya Unnikrishnan

It's Rubina Dilaik, and not Shivshakti Sachdev as reported in a section of the media, who will be playing the role of Jeannie in Jeannie Aur Juju. As for Gia getting replaced, a source says that she was getting a lot of offers which she had to let go because of the show. That's when she started acting pricey and the makers looked for a replacement. Gia however, refused to comment about it.
A source says that Shivshakti was only auditioned for the role. Avers Shivshakti, "I had been approached for the role and had even given a look test, but after that nothing happened." Rubina who just finished playing Sita in Devon Ke Dev Mahadev says that she was in talks with the channel for the fantasy show since the past 20-25 days. "Anuj Kapoor, (Business Head, SAB TV) approached me for the role. He said that I had an enticing, soothing face that is apt for playing a fairy/Jeannie. Also, as a child I used to watch the English show I Dream Of Jeannie and talking about it evoked fond memories," smiles Rubina. However, she was clear that she did not want to be a replacement to Gia Manek. "I was pondering over it when the channel told me that I will not be a replacement and will be introduced as another Jeannie. Since this role is completely different from whatever I have done earlier, I took it up," says the actress best remembered for her role as Chhoti Bahu. Rubina will start shooting for the show from November 10 and has already started preparing for it. "There has already been a Jeannie and I have to see how different I can be and add to the character," says Rubina. Apart from her professional life, talk is that all's not well between her and her beau Avinash Sachdev. Ask her about it and she says cryptically, "There's nothing like that."