Ashutosh Rana is unhappy with the way his next being promoted. Is the co-star Jimmy Sheirgill the reason?

Upcoming political drama Shorgul, which is based on the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, will see Jimmy Sheirgill and Ashutosh Rana reuniting on reel after 13 years - they last featured in Haasil (2003). However, if sources are to be believed, the two actors have not been seeing eye to eye ever since the film's productions began.

We hear their respective teams asked the makers for separate campagin shots as publicity material, apparently since they both want to be portrayed as the solo lead.

Says a source, `Ashutosh had been insisting on a redraft of the script after seeing Jimmy's role. He even preferred to skip the music launch at the very last minute, saying that he was not in town. Jimmy and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal, who has penned the lyrics for the film, were present at the event.`


When we got in touch with Ashutosh, he denied the buzz and called Jimmy a dear friend. `The reason behind my unhappiness is not him but the way the film is being publicised by the producers. That is what concerns me. My work got over with film's shoot and I did Shorgul because director Pranav Singh cast me. I have never clamoured for prominence in any of my films, including Sangrash and Dushman, so why would I do that now?` he asks.

Jimmy, on the other hand, says if the makers have chosen to project the film in certain way, he respects their call. `I am sure Ashutosh's issues are not with me but the producers. And he should clarify with them. I shot with him barely for two days since all actors have separate tracks and the focus is on the young love story. I am not the kind of guy, who would hog all the limelight. I will be the happiest if asked to promote the film for just two days, the actor adds.

The film's producer, Swatantra Vijay Singh explains that the film being multi starrer, doesn't entirely depend on one character. `Every actor complements the other and there is little scope of giving one actor all the attention. We have done full justice to every character since each of them is important to the development of the film. In fact, Ashutosh plays a key part representing the humanitarian philosophy that Shorgul wants to propogate while Jimmy is a billiant actor and will be playing a politician (character modelled after Sangeet Som for the first time),` he says.