Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; November 18, 2014)

In about three weeks, Pulkit Samrat was supposed to start shooting for Karan Johar’s No Sex Please, We are Indians. However, rumour mills suggest that the actor, who is currently basking in marital bliss, has opted out of the sex comedy leaving the production house in the lurch.

Says a source, “Pulkit decided to walk out of the project barely 20 days before it was to go on the floors. He is just back from his honeymoon and it seems he wasn’t willing to do the sex comedy. Moreover, he has many other offers in hand.” With the shooting date inching closer, director Sonam Nair is said to be holding several rounds of auditions to cast a fresh face. No workshop has been conducted either.

Rannvijay Singh’s brother, Harman has apparently auditioned for the role. Newcomer Disha Patani, who featured opposite Pulkit in a shopping portal’s ad, has been finalised as the lead actress.

Another source dismisses rumours of Pulkit acting prudish and says that he abandoned the film as he was not too confident about working with Nair. The director’s last film, Gippi (2013), which also came from KJo’s Dharma Productions stable, was a box office dud.

Pulkit and Nair were not available for comment. Tanuj Garg, CEO-Balaji, which is co-producing the film, says, “No one (actor) was confirmed or announced to begin with so there is no question of anyone being thrown out or walking out.”