It is a known fact that
Deepika Padukone and
Neil Nitin Mukesh are thick friends for quite some time. So much so that Neil has even declared on a public platform that he and Deepika are more than just friends. However this great friendship won't necessarily lead to a professional alliance between the two for at least some time from now.
''When Neil had announced his home production
PAIDAAR a few months back, it was Deepika's name that had emerged as the leading lady. The film is going be an all-around Neil show since he has not just written the film's script but would also be composing music along with producing and acting in it. There were all the right reasons to believe that Deepika would indeed do the film due to her friendship with Neil ever since the days of LAFANGEY PARINDEY. However with no further confirmation coming from either of the two, it seems like there would be a change in plans for Neil,'' says a source.
A romantic thriller with revenge at the core of it, PAIDAAR (an Urdu word that stands for eternal) was supposed to be directed by Rohit Jugraj, a key member in the writing team of PLAYERS which features Neil in a prominent role. One expected that as PLAYERS would come closer to release, Neil and Rohit would divulge further plans around PAIDAAR, especially the leading lady. However as things stand today, neither is Deepika a part of it, nor is the film going on floors anytime soon.
Says Neil, ''Neither Deepika nor any other actress has been approached for the film. We are still developing PAIDAAR so there is no question of any casting being finalised. The film still needs more time on scripting. Though it is pakka that I would be acting in it, no one else has been confirmed so far, whether it is the other actors or the director.''
When contacted, even Deepika denied doing the film. She said, ''I haven't been offered PAIDAAR so where is the questioning of me saying 'yes' or 'no' to it.''