Subhash K Jha (DNA; August 6, 2014)


However, ChiChi has finally turned down the coveted part for various reasons, mainly monetary. Says a source close to the project, “We were very keen to get Govinda in the film. It’s role of Alia’s happy-go-lucky father and significant to the script. We even agreed to give Govinda top billing in the credit titles before Shahid and Alia. We would have closed the deal but came to a dead-end with the money issue.”

Apparently, Govinda asked for a fee that was equivalent to Shahid’s remuneration. Says the source regretfully. “We offered Govinda the second-most important part after Shahid’s. He seemed kicked. But then he asked for a fee that no one would pay him. We tried to convince him to bring his fee down. But he wouldn’t budge.”

Govinda cited date problems as a reason for his inability to do Shaandaar. Apparently, he wants to spend the next two months promoting his home production Abhinay Chakra, and has no time to face the camera.

With Govinda gone, Shaandaar needs a 45-year-old cool dude who can pass as someone young at heart.
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Karan Johar, who is making his full-fledged acting debut with Bombay Velvet, was also approached for the role but he turned it down as well. He now wants to concentrate on writing his next film.

Sajid Khan, too, was approached for the Shaandaar role but he excused himself.