Despite Salman's recommendation, Sooraj Barjatya seems to have decided against casting Armaan Kohli in his next film

Now that the long-in-the-planning Sooraj Barjatya film with Salman Khan is back on track with a title and cast in place, it is interesting to note that actor Armaan Kohli's name doesn't feature in its cast. According to the grapevine, the Bigg Boss contestant was to feature in the film as Sallu's brother. The star had apparently suggested to the filmmaker that Armaan be included in the project.

Armaan Kohli with Tanishaa at a recent awards event. Pic/ Emmanual Karbhari Strangely enough though, the film - titled Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, and slated to go on the floors in May - doesn't seem to star Armaan. The cast includes Salman along with Sonam Kapoor, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Swara Bhaskar, Anupam Kher, Deepak Dobriyal and Samira Rao. So did Barjatya not heed his favourite star's request at all? Says a source, `Salman did suggest that Armaan be included in the film, but there was nothing beyond that.


Some overzealous people went ahead and announced that Armaan was essaying Sallu's brother in the film.` A source close to Armaan points out, `Sooraj Barjatya did not approach him for any role. Armaan has not even spoken to anyone at the production house. He only knew that Salman had recommended his name. He was taken aback when the news came out.` After he exited from the show, Armaan had announced that he wanted to look at a fresh lease of life in B-Town.

He also wished to revive his father's production house. Armaan was launched by his dad, Rajkumar Kohli, in the 1992 film, Virodhi. He then went on to do forgettable films and took another shot at Bollywood with Jaani Dushman in 2002 and LOC: Kargil in 2003. He then vanished from the scene only to appear on Bigg Boss season 7, where he found ladylove Tanishaa.