Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; November 10, 2014)

Director Aanand L Rai is gearing up for an untitled project that will go on the floors as soon as he wraps up the shoot of the Tanu Weds Manu sequel. Sources said he had approached Salman Khan to play a dwarf in the film.

However, after initially agreeing to do the role, the actor has now apparently done a volte face. A source close to the project says, “He is not too happy that details about his role have already been reported in the media. He wanted it to be a secret till the film released. So he decided to back out of the project.”

Rai was not available to comment on Salman’s alleged U-turn.

Like his earlier films, Rai’s new film is said to be a love story set in a small town. This time round, the filmmaker has roped in Hollywood VFX expert George Murphy for the project. Murphy is credited with the special effects of Forrest Gump, Matrix Reloaded, Jurassic Park and King Kong.