Mumbai, Jun 25 : Film maker Madhur Bhandarkar's next Heroine seems to be in trouble, with lead actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan pregnant, and the film's shoot yet to be completed.TOI reported that meetings are on between Madhur, Ash and Ronnie Screwvala for the last couple of days on whether to defer the film or shelve it altogether.
The report quoted a source, “Ash has alloted 65 days to Madhur to complete his film.” However, Heroine may be left sitting cold on the shelf because of various reasons:
Madhur apparently needs six months to complete the movie; 65 days is not enough. The script has scenes where the heroine needs to be under a waterfall (a la Mandakini), and smoke cigarettes – a pregnant Ash can't risk this, or even be on a set that allows cigarette smoking.
Ash is due to deliver in November 2011. Sixty five days from now, she will look too heavy on screen.
There are portions in the film where Ash is supposed to look svelte and sexy. In her current condition that is not possible, the TOI report said.
Madhur has already told his team to start work on his next two projects with A-listers. One is rumoured to be a sequel to one of his National Award winning films and the other is a comedy.
A report in DNA newspaper says, news of Ash's pregnancy caught took Madhur by surprise, who till now believed that the actress' weight gain was only film-related, as her character required her to look a bit plump in certain portions of the film.
“Though Madhur's really happy for the Bachchans, he can't stop worrying about his own baby, Heroine, for which Rai is yet to complete a 50-55 day schedule,” the report quoted a source as saying.
However, Bhandarkar has been given assurance by Aishwarya that she'll complete the film by July-end.
A source close to Ash said, the star hopes to complete the film before she goes on a break to enjoy her pregnancy. However, insiders feel that Madhur may have to bring about some changes to accommodate Aishwarya to look the part.
“Part of the film required her to look her svelte self, but that is impossible considering her pregnancy. So, either he will have to rely on the camera angles to not let it affect the continuity of the film or opt for another actress altogether. That would really depend on when the baby bump begins to show. But Madhur's really keen on Aishwarya, so he may go ahead with her,” the source added.
“At this point, he's not even thinking of the promotions which were due to happen November onwards. Ash is a big star, and he knows her motherhood will not affect the success of the film. Right now, he's only worried about the film's completion and whether he will have to change his lead once again.”
Heroine had earlier been put on hold when Kareena Kapoor backed out of the project citing date trouble.
The only other film that Aishwarya has in hand is Rajkumar Santoshi's romantic-comedy Ladies and Gentlemen opposite Abhishek. The film is apparently on hold as Abhishek's not been able to give the dates so far.
