Bhandarkar can deny is till kingdom comes, but sources confirm that the coveted role has been has been passed on to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan through the film's co-producer UTV.
UTV has approached Rai Bachchan to take over the part that was to be played by Kareena Kapoor, but one on condition -- the director will have to say bye bye to the torrid love making scenes.
Says a source close to the project, "When Madhur says he hasn't approached Aishwarya for the role, he is technically correct. He didn't directly approach her. UTV did. But Madhur will have a meeting with Aishwarya only after he alters the script."
Kareena is believed to have had two problems with the role, forcing her to opt our -- the passionate scenes for one, and the fact that the script resembled the relationship she shares with actor-boyfriend Saif Ali Khan and his children from ex-wife Amrita Singh.
UTV is said to have felt Rai bachchan was perfect for the part of a cinematic diva. Now, Bhandarkar will have to wait to work with Kareena again. He was keen that she do Page 3, but Kareena said she couldn't identify with the journalist's part. Ironically, she had to ditch Heroine because she identified with the part a wee bit much.
