Abhishek in Aparna's first Hindi film

Abhishek in Aparna's first Hindi film

Abhishek Bachchan will be doing Aparna Sen's (Mr and Mrs. Iyer, 15 Park Avenue) first Hindi film, Gulel.

She was earlier supposed to do, an English comedy, Jewelley Box with Govinda and daughter Konkona Sen but after the Partner star ditched her at the last moment, she is now starting work on Gulel. The original choice for the role was Ajay Devgan.
The National Award winning director states in this regard, "Abhishek has heard the script and liked it a lot. He has expressed his keenness to work with me for it. But the problem currently lies with his dates. Once they are sorted out, we can go ahead."

A source informs, "Aparna, who has only made Bangla and English films before, is now reviving, Ismail Merchant's nephew, Naeem Hafiz's Gulel. The project had been stalled after Merchant's demise two years back. It was supposed to star Ajay Devgan in the role of a Bihari convict and Saif Ali Khan, playing a Parsi gentleman. Aparna had also finalized Bipasha as the lead actress with Urmila and Kareena Kapoor in comparatively smaller but important roles. The project is now being totally revamped and the casting completely changed."

"The script of the film revolves around an assassin who is on the look out for his prey, the Parsi young man. The film was also supposed to have acclaimed filmmaker/play director, Vijaya Mehta in the role of Saif's aunt," the source adds.

Abhishek has always expressed his delight for working with Bangla directors. He has done two Bangla films, Antarmahal (Rituparno Ghosh) and Desh (Raja Sen) where he had mom Jaya Bachchan playing his on screen mother. His next release Laaga Chunari Mein Daag is also with a Bangla director, Pradeep Sarkar, where his heroine, Rani Mukherji is a Bangla too.

Meanwhile, Aparna Sen’s English film, My Japanese Wife, starring Rahul Bose and Raima Sen is ready for release.