/> After Suchitra Sen and Vyjanthimala in Bimla Roy's Devdas and Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's interpretation of Saratchandra's classic love triangle, it's now Lara Dutt and Soha Ali Khan who step into the roles of Devdas's two love interests Paro and Chandramukhi.

The two ladies will enact the two classic parts in Sudhir Mishra's contemporized version of Devdas being produced by Pritish Nandy Communications Ltd. The film will be shot in September.

Mishra who has recently moved residence to Madh Island is immersed in getting the script ready. "I wouldn't like to comment on the cast right now. I leave it to my producers.

But my Paro and Chandramukhi aren't going to be portrayed in the classic mould. Chandramukhi in my Devdas will not be a dancer. She'll be an investment banker. Paro evolves into a politician. I'm turning Devdas into a gritty political drama. "

Interestingly Gulzar was doing an adaptation of Devdas in the 1970s with Soha's mother Sharmila Tagore and Hema Malini cast as Chandramukhi and Paro, respectively.

Lara, belatedly riding the crest of popularity with Partner, is currently role-shopping in a discreetly.

Playing Paro after Aishwarya in Bhansali's Devdas is just the challenge Lara is looking for.

"I want to be recognized as an actress, not a oomphy looker, " she had said in an interview to me some time ago.