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Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 18, 2016)

Shhuddhi seems to have been put on hold again. Industry sources confirm that the producer has decided to “not make the film as of now.”

Says the source, “Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt were signed for Shhuddhi. But that film is not being made now. Karan will be producing another subject with the same director Karan Malhotra and the same cast of Varun and Alia.”

This brings to an end a two-year battle to put together an epic costume drama. Hrithik Roshan had been signed to be directed by Karan Malhotra, as the star-director team was seen to be a winner after Agneepath.

Kareena Kapoor Khan was on board as the leading lady. But Hrithik had reservations about working with Kareena. So she was dropped. Then Hrithik, too, opted out. Next, Karan offered the film to Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. But they chose to do Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani. Thereafter it was announced that Salman Khan would do the film.

Finally, Karan Johar roped in his Student Of The Year protégés Varun and Alia. But now, Shhuddhi has been postponed once again as it is seen to be financially impractical.