His last film was path-breaking. But Umesh Shukla is still struggling to find a leading lady for his next film

Director Umesh Shukla's last film OMG: Oh My God! did not have an actress. For his next project with Abhishek Bachchan, he has not yet ascertained who will essay the female lead. The project however has had several names being tossed around those who were apparently approached, those who were given a hearing and those who were allegedly not even approached.


Director Umesh Shukla

Even before the shooting begins later in the year, the project has been garnering more attention about its female casting. Looks like Shukla, a name synonymous with Gujarati theatre, has his hunt for an actress opposite Junior B creating more buzz than the film itself. Some of the names that were rumoured to star in his upcoming film include...

Diana Penty

After making her debut in the Saif Ali Khan production Cocktail last year, the model-turned-actress has not signed any other film. Diana was given a narration of the script but did not sign on the dotted line.

Buzz about her being Abhishek's heroine gained credence when Junior Bachchan posted on his micro-blogging site on May 25, `Guys, show the love to @_dianapenty welcome to the chaos D!` It was assumed that as she would be acting opposite him he was welcoming her on Twitter.`

Kareena Kapoor

Though the director claims he did not approach Bebo, reportedly Kareena's name too figured in the list. Eyebrows were raised about this casting because after Junior B's split with her sister Karisma Kapoor, the two stars have not worked together.

Shraddha Kapoor

The more recent of the names to be approached for the film even though she reportedly turned it down for Mohit Suri's film with Sidharth Malhotra.

Shraddha made her stand clear about the buzz on her micro-blogging site. She stated, `It's upon my director to decide who will be my co-star... Where is the question of me deciding to work with my co-stars? I would absolutely love to work with AB.`

Asin

She played Abhishek's sister in Bol Bachchan and in this film there was buzz that she would be his ladylove. Her B-town outings have only been with a select few actors, speculation grew after she was approached for the film.