Sanjay Dutt 'returns the favour' to Vidya, who bailed on the Dhamaal 2 producers at the last minute, leaving them in the lurch

Vidya Balan has lost out on the solo heroine role in Sanjay Dutt Productions' (SDP) first film Rascals directed by David Dhawan, the reason being she had walked out of Dhamaal 2 opposite Sanjay Dutt because she didn't want to be part of a set up where there were two heroines and four heroes.

Vidya agreed to do Dhamaal 2 with Dutt and then quoted a fee of Rs 1.5 crore which the producers (Inder Kumar and Ashok Thakeria) felt ws too inflated. They refused to pay it and the actress used that to walk out of the film. Now Mallika Sherawat has been signed for the same part.

Sending out feelers
When Vidya came to know Sanjay was launching his home production Rascals, she started sending feelers to director David Dhawan. She wants to be a part of this film as it is a solo heroine project with three heroes -- Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt and another actor who is yet to be finalised.

But Sanju didn't want her in the project. He was miffed with her for refusing the Dhamaal sequel when he's worked with her in Lage Raho Munnabhai, one of the biggest hits of her career.

Also the role in Rascals is of a very hep, modern and youthful woman and everyone felt a fresher face would be better suited for it. So David, Dutt and his business manager and CEO of SDP, Dharam Oberoi narrowed their choices down to Lara Dutta, Anushka Sharma and Kangna Ranaut and finally signed Kangna.

David Dhawan says, "Though Vidya is a fine actress, she didn't suit the role and that's why we didn't take her for Rascals. It's a comedy and we will work together in another film. Vidya is a good friend of mine and I am sure she doesn't mind."

Dharam Oberoi says, "Vidya was one of the contenders and she was very excited about the role in Rascals as it's a solo heroine one. She told David she wanted to do it. I never contacted Vidya at all.

She was always in touch directly with David. Lara Dutta and Vidya Balan were keen but Kangna got the role. We haven't finalised a third hero as yet."

Vidya Balan remained unavailable for comment.