Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; May 18, 2015)

After giving her nod to the Sarabjit Singh biopic last year, Kangana Ranaut has abruptly opted out of it.
Industry sources say the actress took the decision following Hansal Mehta’s unceremonious exit from the project.

Says a source, “She had committed herself to the biopic when Hansal, in the capacity of a director-cum-co-producer, approached her last August. In fact, he was working on the script in the US last week. Suddenly, it was announced that Omung Kumar will direct the film. Once Hansal was ousted, Kangana too decided to abandon it.”

Kangana was supposed to play Sarabjit’s sister, Dalbir Kaur, who fought a long but unsuccessful battle to free the death row prisoner from Pakistan after he was convicted on espionage charges. Now, Priyanka Chopra, who worked with Omung in the Mary Kom biopic, is apparently being considered for the role.

The rights to the biopic spokesperson was when directing on with are with writer-filmmaker Zeishan Quadri.

The Queen actress’ spokesperson says, “Kangana was a part of Sarabjit biopic when Hansal Mehta was directing it. But now they are working on another subject.”

Hansal is evidently miffed with the makers. “Commenting on the bizarre Sarabjit episode that took place while I was out of the country will mean giving undue importance to people who are undeserving of any attention. Kangana and I are committed to working together. We will make an official announcement at the right time,” he states.