Exit Suniel, Enter Sonu

Suniel Shetty has been replaced by Sonu Sood in Vipul Shah's Singh is King which has Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in the lead. Hiren Kotwani tells more.

Suniel Shetty took his time.. and then opted out of Vipul Shah's Singh is King. The reason, as usual, was date problems. In this case, a clash with Apoorva Lakhia's Mission Istanbul, which he's also co-producing.

Stepping into his shoes, as the Punjabi dude, there's Sonu Sood.

Confirming the news, Sood says, "Vipul called me from Australia and offered me a great role in this film that Anees Bazmee is directing. We finalised the details once he got back in town. For me, it's an opportunity to do something different, given the comic element. Also being a Vipul Shah production it's bound to be a lavishly budgeted glossy ."

Unexpected break
The film stars Akshay Kumar in the title role, with Katrina Kaif. Apparently, Kumar was the reason for Shetty's exit from the project. In fact, even Dino Morea, who was approached for the same role earlier, refused. Are they afraid of being overshadowed?

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"Really? I didn't know that Dino had been approached. And I've no clue why Suniel opted out. As far as I'm concerned, I'm completely convinced about the role. For me, Singh is King is my best bet after Jodhaa Akbar."