The film titled Khelen Hum Jee Jaan Se starring Abhishek Bachchan is based on the Chittagong Uprising of 1930. Abhishek essays the role of Surjya Sen, and Ashu, after the dud Whats Your Rashee?, is putting his heart and soul into the movie. He wants it to be bigger than his earlier epic love story Jodhaa Akbar and was very keen on signing on Asin in the female lead. He was amazed by her work in Ghajini and wanted the same type of expressiveness to shine in his film as well.

However, Asin backed out at the last minute, citing date issues, leaving Ashu in a tizzy. A source close to the director revealed, “Ashutosh, who was busy working on the pre-production work of the film, was left surprised when Asin backed out of the film. He was back to searching his lead, and after Genelia D’souza and Sonam Kapoor, he finally zeroed in on Deepika Padukone, who readily accepted the role. Deepika had wanted to do a period film for a while now, and she knows that Ashu holds expertise in that area. She’s also excited to work with Ashutosh and Abhishek Bachchan for the first time. What more could an upcoming actress ask for so early in her Bollywood career?”

But why didn’t Asin feel the same? Explains her friend, wishing to stay anonymous, “Asin is tired of being sidelined in films. If she was praised for her performance in Ghajini, everybody knows who hogged most of the limelight. If she would have been promoted well during her first film, she wouldn’t have been taken for granted by other directors. The other being Vipul Shah, who didn’t utilise Asin in London Dreams as well, he made sure Salman and Ajay were the stars of the film and made Asin look a mere extra in the film. She didn’t even have a song for herself in the movie.” While Ashu is staying mum about bringing on Deepika on board, his wife Sunita confirmed the news, saying, 'Yes. Deepika is on. We are really looking forward to working with her'

It is reported that Sikander Kher has also been offered a role in the film. After Niketan Dheer, who was cast in Jodhaa Akbar, here's yet another star-son to get a break with Ashutosh.

SEE: Asin and Deepika on Farah's chat show Tere Mere Beach Mein