If recent developments are any indication, Ahana Deol may not be making her debut opposite Prateik.
Apparently, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, the production house backing the movie, is trying to get director Shoojit Sircar to cast another actor instead.
According to a source, the producers had second thoughts about the young actor after the release of Prakash Jha's film on the reservation issue.
"After watching Aarakshan, they had some apprehensions about him pulling off the complex character in their movie. So they want Shoojit to sign on someone else, " explains our source.
Interestingly, it was the director and the producers who were keen on casting Prateik for their film.
"When the actor was first approached, he wasn't very eager. But after considerable pursuit, he agreed to act in this film, " recalls the source.
Now the tables have turned. Jha's movie isn't working out as well for his career as he may have imagined. "The producers were not too pleased about being made to chase Prateik.
And now, his performance in Aarakshan failing to impress them is turning the scales against him, " points out the source.
Shoojit, however, claims no actor (including Prateik) has been signed on for this movie so far. "We're in talks with a couple of actors.
As soon as things are final, I'll be in a better position to talk about it, " he says.
Given that Hema Malini has been keen to get Prateik on board as the hero for her daughter Ahana's debut, this comes as an anti-climax.
Now it remains to be seen which actor gets roped in to play hero opposite the Deol gal.