In between a packed slate of current and upcoming projects, plus persistent pregnancy rumours, Deepika has a lot going on right now. Some outlets have reported she has cleared her schedule after next year’s Chhapaak. Is this why she is no longer reported to be in consideration for the high-profile remake of Satte Pa Satta with Hrithik Roshan? Another huge star is apparently in talks for the lead role, instead.
When the project was first announced, Deepika was widely reported to be the front contender to play Indu, the feisty nurse who falls for mechanic Ravi.
Excited exclusive reports in the Indian media claimed Deepika “loved it and instantly gave her nod” when she heard about the plans.
It is a juicy role in a movie many fans might recognise as based on classic Hollywood musical Seven Brides For Seven Brothers. The Bollywood version is updated away from the America frontier days but maintains the story of seven brothers living illiterate and semi-wild in a large farmhouse, raised by the eldest.
It sounds perfect for Deepika, so what happened?
Local news and industry outlets are now reporting that Anushka Sharma has been approached to take the lead role, opposite Hrithik Roshan.
Deepika may be the bigger name internationally, thanks to the xXx franchise, but Anushka is also one of Bollywood’s biggest stars after starring in three of the top-grossing movies of all time.
Anushka is one of the highest-paid stars thanks to roles in Bollywood’s fifth-biggest Bollywood film, PK, as well as the eighth and ninth biggest – Sultan and Sanju.
As for Deepika pregnancy rumours, the actress clearly hasn’t cleared her schedules just yet, despite reports.
She has three movies all in production at the moment: Chhapaak, inspired by acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal, the cricket drama ’83 and Sapna Didi, about a notorious Mumbai crime queen.
And the xXx sequel remains officially listed as “in pre-production”.
