Riteish Deshmukh's back-to-back comedy hits Masti and Kya Kool Hai Hum seem to have put him in the forefront of laugh-fests.

Deshmukh is all set to move into another orbit in his career. Rohan Sippy has signed him in a new Abhishek Bachchan-starrer as replacement for the ever-elusive Saif Ali Khan.

Says Rohan, "Saif was meant to be in my new film, but at the inception stage of Sridhar Raghavan's script. Now, when the whole project has been finalised, it's Abhishek and Riteish playing a mismatched pair. While Abhishek will be cast in a mellow mood, Riteish will be the brat in my film."

The project, tentatively titled Bluff Master, will be an out-and-out comedy caper. Aishwarya Rai is also expected to join the cast.

Rohan says it will be a film about male bonding, "But Ash will have a substantial role. She certainly won't be a decorative doll. Actually, after Kuch Naa Kaho I was keen to work with Abhi and Ash again.

Abhi's presence in my movie is a given. I can't think of making a film without him. It's amazing how his career has taken off in the last one year."

In fact, Sippy says that Abhishek's dates had literally fallen into his lap.

"It's almost a windfall. Abhishek suddenly had dates because Karan Johar's film has been pushed back to September. We start our film in June and wrap up in a month's time. Since Shridhar's script is situated almost entirely in Mumbai, it shouldn't be difficult to complete the film on schedule."

Rohan is also gung-ho about Riteish. "I've watched him grow as an actor. There's something very likeable about his personality. And he suits my film completely. I'm working with a completely new crew. That should ensure that my film looks fresh."