Histrionic abilities may not be Sushmita Sen's greatest plus point as an actress despite occasional flashes in movies like "Main Hoon Na" and "Filhaal", but this former Miss Universe-turned movie star is quite a professional.

Recently, she returned the advance money - or signing amount in Bollywood parlance - of Rs.2.1 million to producer Vijay Galani who had signed her up for a movie. Reason? She was not provided the bound script of the movie on time as promised.

Vijay Galani Moviez had signed Sushmita for a movie to be directed by "Shaka Laka Boom Boom" director Dharmesh Darshan.

The actress said she had initially agreed to do the movie after she heard its narration from the director in August last year.

When she signed the Letter of Intent the next month and was paid advance money out of her total fee of Rs.10.25 million, it was agreed that a bound script would be sent to her in November.

But instead of a script, what she received was a piece of paper in which the director had briefly outlined her role in the movie.

Not only was she outraged at the producer going back on his word, she was also shocked that the role outlined in the piece of paper was entirely different from the director's description of it earlier.

So, by returning the signing amount, she wanted to wash her hands off the movie. A month has passed since she has returned the cheque, but Vijay Galani Moviez has not yet deposited it in the bank.

The story does not end there. No sooner did Sushmita dissociate herself from the movie than Govinda, the movie's leading man, also walked out of it saying without the actress playing the female lead, the whole concept of the movie would change. And he would not like that.

"Professionalism" and solidarity exemplified by Govinda and Sushmita has put the producer in a spot and the director in a dilemma.