Post the unexpected debacle of Halla Bol producers are no longer eager for more from the Devgan-Santoshi pair.
Apparently PVR the producers who were supposed to support Santoshi's multi-crore historical on the life of Emperor Ashok have backed out of the project.
Santoshi who has been long toying with the idea of making a love story has now signed Bollywood's new sensation Ranbir for a film.
And he has decided to cast Katrina Kaif in the female lead.He starts the project immediately.
Confirming this new development in his career Raj Santoshi says, "Yes I'm making this film, Ranbir is confirmed. Katrina is nearly confirmed.
I wanted to work with Ranbir the minute I saw him in Saawariya. I see that special spark in him. In fact after I saw him in Saawariya I sent him a bouquet, I was so impressed by him."
The film is to be produced by Tips with whom Santoshi had a long-standing tiff regarding outstanding payments for The Legend Of Bhagat Singh.
Santoshi denies any differences with Tips. "We had a very fruitful working relationship during Bhagat Singh. If we didn't why would we be working together again?"
Santoshi is specially excited about this project because it's a love story that he's writing himself.
"For very long now I wanted to make a pure love story. I've written this script some time back. I was waiting for the right face. I think Ranbir was destined to be the hero in my love story."
Interestingly two years ago Santoshi was supposed to make a film called Ranbir with Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan.