Rohit, Manasi ki 'Baat Pakki' nahin

Opt out of Meghna Gulzar's film because of date problems; Perizaad and Bikram Saluja step in
Vickey Lalwani
vickey.lalwani@mid-day.com

Post Nach Baliye, TV couple Rohit Roy and Manasi Joshi had plans to share screen space together once again. This time, it was for Meghna Gulzar's Baat Pakki (earlier titled Honeymoon), where they were playing husband and wife. But now, the couple is not doing the film anymore.
SOS call
Rohit's dates for Baat Pakki were clashing with his commitment for buddy Sanjay Gupta's Shootout at Lokhand-wala. Left with virtually no time on hand, producer Rangita Nandy then summoned Perizaad Zorabian and Bikram Saluja to step into the outgoing couple's shoes.
Rangita and Meghna called Perizaad on Monday after-noon. And by Tuesday morn-ing, Perizaad had joined the unit in Ooty. Before leaving, she spoke to Manasi.
"I know Manasi and Rohit since a long time. Rohit was my co-star in my first play Unfaithful. Manasi told me that it's a wonderful role and I will have a great time. Rohit sent me a message saying, 'Baby, go and rock'."
Emotional reasons
Speaking to HiTLIST on Tuesday evening, Perizaad said that her parents and boyfriend Boman Irani could not believe it when she told them on Monday that she was doing Nandy's film. "I am a very finicky person, who thinks for a very long time before taking any decisions. But I didn't think twice about Rangita's offer. I started my career with Pritish Nandy's Bollywood Calling. He has continued to be a friend even when we were not working together. This film is my way of standing by him. Aaj main jo bhi hoon, unki vajah se hoon. Importantly, if a woman calls up a woman for a role, there is a big trust factor that comes into play. Meghna and Nandy put it so simply and explained everything about the story."
Saath-saath
In Baat Pakki, Perizaad plays Anu. "To be honest, I did ask Meghna if I would have enough to do in a film which has Fardeen Khan and Esha Deol. She clearly told me that I will not be short changed," says Perizaad.
Rohit, on his part, said that Baat Pakki was a film very dear to Manasi and him. "I tried to do it but things didn't work out."
Manasi added, "I didn't have date problems, but I wanted to do this film with Rohit. Working together was the fun part. Since Rohit could not do it, I dropped out too. We were looking forward to the film. The fact that we aren't doing it is our loss entirely."
Baat Pakki would have been Manasi's debut film. Now, she will make her big Bollywood splash in Sanjay Gupta's Alibag. Yes, Rohit Roy is also starring in that film.