Akshay Kumar gets a new heroine

Actor will romance Shruti Haasan in a remake of a Tamil film to be produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

In a first, Akshay Kumar will star opposite Shruti Haasan in his upcoming action film, Gabbar. Shruti has bagged the role — considered to be her biggest so far in Bollywood — after names like Tamannaah (of Himmatwala fame) and Ileana D’Cruz (of Barfi!, 2012 fame) did the rounds.


“The makers chose Shruti because she fits the bill perfectly. Plus, it’s going to be a completely new casting for Akshay too,” says an industry insider. So far, Shruti has worked in four Hindi projects, including her latest ones — Ramaiya Vastavaiya and D-Day. “Gabbar will be her biggest. She is also happy to work with Akshay and Sanjay Leela Bhansali (who is producing the film).

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The shooting will start sometime early next year after Akshay wraps up all his current projects. Right now, he is busy with It’s Entertainment with Tamannaah and the remake of Thuppaki (2012) with Sonakshi,” adds the insider. Gabbar is the official remake of the 2002 hit, Ramana, and will be directed by Telugu director Krish. The film will also mark the second time that Bhansali and Akshay will team up; their first partnership was during Rowdy Rathore (2012). Shruti also has Teluguprojects like Yevadu, Ramayya Vasthavayya (not related to the Hindi film), Race Gurram and Gabbar Singh 2 in her kitty. “She is trying to strike a balance among her Telugu, Tamil and Hindi films,” adds the insider.