Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; November 24, 2015)

If the latest buzz is to be believed, Omung Kumar’s upcoming biopic on Sarabjit Singh has hit a roadblock. Richa Chadha, who had been signed to play the prisoner’s wife on the big screen, is believed to have walked out of the project.

A source says, “Richa has opted out of the project due to creative differences with the makers. They had several rounds of discussion over how her character should be fleshed out, but they were just not on the same page. That’s why she decided to bow out. The makers are trying to figure out a replacement for her. Aditi Rao Hydari’s name has come up in their discussion.”

Omung says, “It isn’t true. You will get to know the truth when I start shooting in 10 days.” However, a source close to the project says, “Richa has indeed walked out of the projects, but the makers are not looking at replacing her. They are, in fact, trying to woo her back. There is no change in the rest of the star cast and the film will go on floors early next month.”

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will essay the pivotal role of Dalbir Kaur, sister of Sarabjit, who spent 22 years in a Pakistan jail on espionage charges. He was sentenced to death in 1991, but the sentence was repeatedly postponed. While in prison in April 2013, fellow inmates attacked him and he succumbed to his injuries six days later.