Did Salman Khan pick his replacement, Varun Dhawan in Shhuddi?

Salman Khan apparently suggested that Varun Dhawan be cast in Karan Malhotra’s next Shhuddhi, which he was to star in initially.

An ambitious Karan Johar production, Shhuddhi — for which Hrithik Roshan, Ranveer Singh and Salman Khan, among others, have been in the reckoning for the lead role, over the years — will finally be made with

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Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt

.

The project, which is likely to kick off next year, will be directed by Karan Malhotra.

Salman

, who had been confirmed to star in the film last year, is no longer part of it, but he seems happy about Varun bagging the role. On Thursday (May 21), he tweeted, “Kamaal karte ho Varun Dhawan...made ur dad n me so proud of u... happy Shhuddhi (sic)."

Interestingly, we have learnt that Salman has been instrumental in getting Varun the role. "Not many are aware that he suggested Varun’s name as a possible replacement for him in the film. He is confident that Varun can carry off the challenging part (of the male lead). And both the Karans were more than happy to sign Varun for the film," says a trade insider.

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After Student of the Year and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Varun and Alia will be seen together onscreen in Shhuddhi.

Neither Varun nor Karan (Johar) could be reached for a comment.

Meanwhile, Salman Khan is trying to ensure that all goes well with his debut home production,

Bajrangi Bhaijaan

. So, he has shown the teaser of the film to Sajid Nadiadwala (who directed him in Kick; 2014) and Aditya Chopra (producer of Ek Tha Tiger; 2012). "Salman was keen on getting their feedback, since he trusts their judgment and needs a genuine opinion. Also, he shares a close relationship with the filmmakers. Sajid and Aditya loved the teaser and are impressed with how it has turned out," says an insider.

Read: Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt finalised for Shhuddhi