Bollywood hunk Salman Khan has reportedly picked Gangster girl Kangna Ranaut to star opposite him for an upcoming film that takes on the Indian education system in manner similar to the 2009 blockbuster 3 Idiots.

As other actresses in her league bite the dust, the wheels are seemingly turning just fine for the 23-year-old National Award-winning actress, who has reportedly struck a deal for a film to be directed by filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar and produced by Salman Khan himself.

Apparently for the female lead there was a need of someone who could emote 'very strongly' and look glamorous as well.

The promos of Kangna's upcoming film - in which she reportedly sports 12 hairdos and looks like a 70s diva - Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai-also starring Ajay Devgan and Emraan Hashmi, seem to have made an impact on Sallu Bhai.

The film is said to be a remake of Manjrekar's 2010 Marathi film Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho, centred around the Indian education system, which was touted to be 'eerily like 3 Idiots' prior to release.

However in interviews Manjrekar had clarified the film was not inspired from 3 Idiots, instead it focused on the the irrelevant importance given to certain subjects without looking for a child's field of talent.

Back then he had also expressed a desire to make the film in Hindi.

In an interview to the Mid Day newspaper, he had said, "Only a star like Shah Rukh Khan or Akshay Kumar can carry that role off as they both have sons and also Salman as he is a dear friend."

Seems like 'dear friend' Salman, whose Dabangg promos are being liked all over, has left behind both the King Khan and Khiladi Kumar for this one.

Mahesh Manjrekar confirmed to the daily Mumbai Mirror that he is working on the project with Salman Khan and it will be a hard-hitting film with a fair share of comedy, but refused to confide any more details.

The things that remain to be seen, are how close the film comes to the Aamir Khan starrer mega-hit and also why Salman suddenly seems to have forgotten a certain Katrina Kaif when it comes to suggesting heroines.