Actor Arshad Warsi has left
Golmaal director Rohit Shetty in a lurch. The actor, an integral part of
Golmaal —
Fun Unlimited and
Golmaal
Returns has refused
Golmaal 3 that goes on the floors next month. Reason: the actor has increased his market price after the success of
Ishqiya, and demanded
Rs. 3 crore — double of what was being offered to him. “Arshad was offered
Rs. 1.5 crore, but he made it clear that he would settle for nothing less than
Rs. 3 crores,” says a source from the production team.
Arshad confirmed his absence from the film, reasoned his absence is due to his debut production, Hum Tum Aur Ghost. “I would’ve loved to be a part of Golmaal 3. I’m trying to work out a way to be associated with the film. Money isn’t bothering me at the moment.” Asked about the money-related problems with Warsi, Shetty, presently doing a recce in Goa, says, “Will try to convince Arshad.”
This isn’t the first time Warsi has left a filmmaker stranded. When filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj offered Ishqiya to him, he had immediately walked out of the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Teen Patti. A unit source says Warsi left the film because he was getting a solo film, and did not want to be overshadowed by anyone.
“If Arshad was not adjusting his dates with that of Amitabh Bachchan, what could we do?” says a source from the unit. Teen Patti producer Ambika Hinduja says, “Whatever happens, happens for good. When I see the film now, I can’t imagine anyone but Madhavan (actor) do that part.”