Sources say Hrithik Roshan and the producers of Shekhar Kapur's much-delayed project 'Paani' parted ways over a pow-wow on profit sharing

With buzz about Sushant Singh Rajput being roped in to play the lead role in Shekhar Kapur's much-delayed Paani, one can't help but wonder why Hrithik Roshan, who apparently had been signed for the film initially, lost out on the opportunity to work with the celebrated director.

Insiders say that it could have something to do with the production house's unwillingness to part with their profit-share with the actor. One may recall how Hrithik had apparently announced during the Marrakech International Film Festival in April this year that he was part of the director's grand project.


Says a source, `Hrithik was offered the film but the production house, Yash Raj Films, was not okay to give him a profit-share in the film which led to both the actor and the production house to part ways.`

A friend of the star comments, `Paani has been in the making for a very long time and we hope the film finally goes on floor.` The official spokesperson of the production house rubbishes the buzz that Hrithik was ever approached for the film, `It is completely untrue.` Hrithik remained unavailable for comment.

The other version
An excerpt from Shekhar Kapur's blog however paints a very different picture:

Shekhar Kapur: `Which Director in his right mind would ever give up a chance to work with Hrithik Roshan? He has been one of the most exciting actors in Hindi Cinema for a long time. And a huge star to boot. And years ago, as I sat down to write Paani, I had one image in mind to play the male lead. Hrithik Roshan.

The character I described in the script was completely Hrithik. His manner, his inner world, his conflicts .. were all Hrithik. I sat with AR Rahman and as we composed music together, I always would ask him to imagine Hrithik.


But then the years passed. I got involved with Hollywood. Other projects ensnared me away from the project that was my deepest passion .. Paani. And as the years passed, and the script kept evolving.. changing. And Hrithik changed too... To what Hrithik is today. The Super Hero.

The man who is the protector, the man who can take on the world single handedly. The man who knows he can take on the world singlehandedly. Hrithik evolved into Krish. And I realized I had left it too late.... So while I lost the chance to cast Hrithik in Paani, I hope that he would still agree to be in one of my next films...` (sic)