Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; April 1, 2015)

A few months ago, we had reported about Salman Khan opting out of Aanand L Rai’s next project after details relating to his role were leaked — he was apparently signed to play a dwarf. Now we hear that the project has been shelved.

A source says, “Rai and Salman were excited about working together on that film, but the fact that the actor would play a dwarf was revealed even before the film went on floors. Salman was quite upset and opted out of the project. So, Rai decided to put the film on the back burner.”

The filmmaker had also roped in Hollywood VFX expert George Murphy of Matrix Reloaded and Jurassic Park fame for his next. The source adds that there is a faint possibility that Rai will approach another actor and revive the project once he wraps up Tanu Weds Manu Returns.

Rai was unavailable for comment.