Subhash K Jha (DNA; December 11, 2014)

Recent reports suggest that the sequel to Rock On!! will star Alia Bhatt. The reports also suggest that Alia will be singing her own songs in the film.

But here’s the reality. Alia is not on board for Rock On!! 2. Not yet, at least. Says the film’s director Shujaat Saudagar, “The casting will happen next month. Farhan, Purab Kohli and Arjun Rampal from the first part remain.” It is learnt that there will be a new recruit in the band, a female recruit. Alia is one of the possibilities. But her dates are not working out.

Adds an insider, “Alia has been approached. But that’s about it. There is no question of her singing her own songs. We don’t even know what kind of music the sequel will have and how much of it the characters other than Farhan Akhtar will be singing.”

Though the basic idea is by Abhishek Kapoor who directed the first Rock On!!. The sequel is being directed by Shujaat Saudagar who has not directed feature films before. However, he did direct a one-hour telefilm entitled Bali, though.

Ritesh Sidhwani (the film’s producer) has asked the cast members to block their dates in April 2015.This is where Alia’s name is being thrown around. Sources insist Alia is in the realm of possibilities. “Alia’s dates are not working out. She has committed herself to Homi Adjania’s next with Sushant Singh Rajput which starts at around the same time as Rock On!! 2.”

Shraddha Kapoor, Deeepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra are also being considered,” says the source. Both Ritesh Sidhwani and Alia Bhatt deny Alia is in the cast. Says Ritesh, “Nothing for Rock On!! 2 has been finalised except the director. No cast has been finalised.”