Aamir Khan seems to be too busy nowadays to find time to act in buddy director Ashutosh Gowarikar's next film, presumably another patriotic flick.It was a jodi that wove magic at the box office with their pre-independence drama Lagaan. The film not only found audiences internationally but also got nomination at this year's Oscars.

One would have expected Aamir and Ashutosh to keep working together in future and make more money spinners like Lagaan, but this is not how it is turning out to be. Ashutosh is ready to begin his next venture, tentatively titled Desh, but Aamir is too busy with his earlier commitments to find time for the man. Aamir, who is known for acting in not more than two films at a time, is already busy with cousin Mansoor Khan's ‘Happy Diwali' and Ketan Mehta`s ‘Rising' in which he is playing freedom fighter Mangal Pandey.

So, instead of waiting for Aamir to clear himself of his commitments, Ashutosh is reported to have signed Shahrukh for the film. The film is likely to go on the floors in early 2003.