Akshay Kumar has been replaced by close buddy Bobby Deol in Suneil Darshan's upcoming venture "Barsaat".

Akshay has always considered Darshan his mentor. It was therefore a foregone conclusion that none but Akshay would star in his next venture.

However, from the outset a series of date problems plagued "Barsaat". Darshan had to wait for almost a year before Akshay was able to accommodate "Barsaat" into his packed schedule.

One song sequence was shot with Akshay and Priyanka Chopra. But now, Akshay and Darshan have finally decided to part ways in "Barsaat".

Their association has been strong. It was Darshan's "Jaanwar", released in December 1999, that changed the course of Akshay's career and he never forgot that.

Came Darshan's "Ek Rishta", and it took Akshay to another level in his career as he was pitched against the mighty Amitabh Bachchan. Last year's "Andaaz", which Darshan produced, further consolidated his stardom.

In an industry driven by self-interest, it's rare to come across relationships that outlast the Friday-to-Friday equation. Akshay Kumar has always considered Suneil Darshan his mentor.

Bobby, coincidentally, started his career with a film called "Barsaat" which even more coincidentally, also marked the debut of Akshay's wife Twinkle Khanna. Both the films featured the music of Nadeem-Shravan.

"It's rather eerie, isn't it?" said Darshan, who seemed much relieved for having sorted out the star tangle that had stalled his film.

"Raj Kumar Santoshi's 'Barsaat' with Bobby and Twinkle hadn't worked at the boxoffice. Hope mine does. Bobby and Nadeem-Shravan's music are the aces of my film.

"Bobby has been absolutely wonderful. Not once did he allow his ego to come in the way. He had no problems with replacing Akshay at any point of time. I'm working with Bobby for the first time and looking forward to it. The temporary break with Akshay will do us both a lot of good."

Suniel Darshan hopes to start another project with Akshay and Bobby sometime next year. "Barsaat" commences shooting Oct 18 with a two-month schedule.

Incidentally, "Barsaat" also stars Bipasha Basu who will work with Suniel Darshan for the first time.

"But I've worked with both Bobby and Akshay before in my first film 'Ajnabee'. They're both dear friends," Bipasha said before leaving Mumbai for Kolkata to meet Buddhadeb Dasgupta about a Bengali film.

Bipasha said: "The reports that I'm doing Buddhadeb Dasgupta's film are a bit premature.

"I want to do it. But I don't seem to have the dates. Let's see...Right now it doesn't look too favourable. I'll know for sure in a couple of days."