Neil Nitin Mukesh has apparently replaced his New York co-star John Abraham in the yet untitled film starring Akshay Kumar and being directed by David Dhawan's son Rohit Dhawan.

Just last week we had reported about this Akshay-John starrer finally getting a producer to mark the directorial debut of David Dhawan's son. But within a matter of days John Abraham has been dropped.

The reason, our source reveals is ‘cost cutting'. What with the on going recession, the makers, Eros apparently felt taking John would have multiplied their making costs and it would have been better to opt for a much cheaper and now also reliable Neil Nitin Mukesh for the same part.

Neil shall be playing the role of a pole dancer along with Akshay Kumar in a strip club in the film. The film is a romantic comedy and the leading ladies for the two male leads are yet to be finalized.

Another source reveals, "John is presently in London shooting for Abbas Tyrewala's next after Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and still doesn't yet have the complete idea as to why he has been dropped."