Sanjay Dutt ditches Kangana for Ash

Sanjay Dutt has left Bhushan Kumar of T-Series, the producer of his untitled film opposite Kangana Ranaut, in the lurch after signing a Mani Ratnam film. Ratnam’s film stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai in lead roles. Sanjay had earlier agreed to do the T-Series romantic film starring Kangana, which was to be directed by the duo Vinay Sapru and Radhika Rao. The film was to be shot extensively in USA and India. While the T-Series production house officials are maintaining that Dutt is still in their project, Dharam Uberoi, business manager of Dutt says, "We are waiting to sort out things; he has not committed himself to the project as yet. T-Series has yet to revert regarding some issues.

" However, our sources confirm, "Dutt has no inclinations to do the T-Series film anymore." But Dutt was not the first choice for the Ratnam film either. The director had earlier chosen southern superstar Vikram for this role. Adds our source, "The debacle of the Abhi-Ash pairing in Sarkar Raj made Mani rethink. Instead of opting for a completely unknown star of Bollywood along with the couple, he decided to go in for Sanjay Dutt and reduce the business risk for the film. Sanjay immediately committed to the film without even going through the script because of Mani Ratnam. He allotted all the committed dates of his T-Series film to this film." This will be the third time Sanjay Dutt is paired opposite Ash. Earlier they have worked together in Hum Kissi Se Kum Nahi and Shabd. Both the films were flops at the box-office.