MID-DAY (May 24, 2017)

Director Kiran Rao has trashed reports of actor-husband Aamir Khan recommending Dangal co-star Fatima Sana Shaikh as one of the lead actors in thugs of Hindostan. “We don’t deal with it (casting). It's a Yash Raj Films movie so Adi (Aditya chopra, YRF chief), Victor (Vijay Krishna Acharya, director) and Aamir have decided on it. Since it is a big film for them, they would have given it (Fatima’s casting) a good thought. there has to be merit in it,”

Kiran was quoted as saying to a reporter outside a suburban restaurant. Thugs Of Hindostan will bring together Aamir and Amitabh Bachchan on screen for the first time. “There is excitement to see Aamir and Amitji together for the first time. it is going to be fun. It will be a treat for the audience to watch them,” Kiran added.

The film will mark Fatima’s second outing after her successful debut in Aamir’s Dangal last year. She had played wrestler Geeta Phogat. Thugs Of Hindostan is scheduled to go on floors next month and the makers are eyeing a Diwali 2018 release.