Big-ticket Bollywood films that failed to take-off

Kareena Kapoor Khan, Salman Khan, Emraan Hashmi and Sunny Deol

It is well known that the process of making a film is painstakingly long. But when the stars (pun unintended) are against filmmakers, the project plan goes for a toss, inordinately delaying the production schedule.

Tigmanshu Dhulia's 'Milan Talkies', which has been dogged by casting problems, has hit a new hurdle with Shraddha Kapoor opting out of the film

Quite a few Bollywood films are currently caught up in the start-stop-start syndrome, courtesy multiple reasons - casting setbacks to creative differences on the production side. A case in point is Tigmanshu Dhulia's 'Milan Talkies' which has recently had Shraddha Kapoor opting out of the project. She had been paired opposite Aditya Roy Kapur, who is also said to be unavailable as he is shooting for Abhishek Kapoor's 'Fitoor'.

Prior to this, the original casting decision was to bring together Imran Khan and Priyanka Chopra. However, Imran walked out of the film allegedly owing to differences with producer Ekta Kapoor after the 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara!' debacle. Later, PeeCee also decided to quit the film.

Post that, Shahid Kapoor was taken on board and later, Dhulia even confirmed Varun Dhawan's presence during an interview after the release of the Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha-starrer Bullett Raja.

Not just this film, but many other Bollywood projects are facing take-off troubles. hitlist takes a look at five such films...

'Shuddhi'
Announced: March 2013
Stuck in a rut: Karan Johar and Karan Malhotra's collaborative film ran into troubled waters ever since it was announced - it was slated to go on the floors in December last year.

Salman Khan

The reason for the delay was lead actor Hrithik Roshan's brain surgery for which he had asked for some time off which pushed the shooting schedule ahead. Post that, Hrithik resumed shooting for Bang Bang and decided to allot dates to 'Shuddhi' only after 'Bang Bang!' promotions ended. But director Karan Malhotra said he could no longer wait to get the film rolling. In the meanwhile, leading lady Kareena Kapoor too walked out of the project said to be based on the Amish Tripathi bestseller, 'The Immortals of Meluha'. Now, while Salman Khan has been finalised as the hero, the makers are yet to zero in on his heroine.

'Paani'
Announced: 2004
Stuck in a rut: Veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has been working on his most ambitious project, 'Paani', for around 13 years now. But, the film hasn't been able to see the light of day due to several reasons, ranging from cast to cash.

Sushant Singh Rajput

Hrithik Roshan was said to have been signed on for the project but the rumours died down soon after 'Kites' (2010) box-office debacle. However, the latest we hear is that Sushant Singh Rajput and Ayesha Kapur have been taken on board and the film will go on floors by mid 2015. 'Paani', set in 2050, deals with how water is controlled by international corporations and thirst is used as weapon to control people.

'Badtameez Dil'
Announced: June 2013
Stuck in a rut: Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor's joint venture was supposed to hit the big screen on August 15 this year. However, the film starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Emraan Hashmi is being delayed reportedly due to certain differences between the co-producers.

Kareena Kapoor Khan (left) and Emraan Hashmi will be seen in 'Badtameez Dil'

Quite recently, rumour mills suggested that the lead pair has been replaced by Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt, but KJo and Ekta rubbished the buzz. 'Badtameez Dil', to be helmed by Akshay Roy, is a story of two manipulative people who cross each other's paths on their way up the social ladder.

'Ghayal Returns'
Announced: 2011
Stuck in a rut: Sunny Deol announced the sequel to his 1990 blockbuster 'Ghayal' over three years ago. In fact, the teaser of the original revenge drama was attached to the screening of Salman Khan's 'Ready' in 2010.

Sunny Deol

But the Sunny Deol-starrer faced multiple roadblocks, with reports about an uncertainty shrouding the director's chair surfacing. Going by the latest buzz, however, the actor has decided to go bald for the film. While it is being said that the Sunny would direct 'Ghayal Returns', the actor himself has stayed away from making any announcement about the movie.

'Bhavesh Joshi'
Announced: October 2013
Stuck in a rut: 'Lootera' maker Vikramaditya Motwane's next project about a Gujarati rebel had Imran Khan as its leading man. However, things did not materialise due to inane reasons.

Sidharth Malhotra

Then there were also reports that Imran had refused to take up any films during wife Avantika's pregnancy. Sidharth Malhotra was signed on for the social drama after he impressed Motwane with his performance in 'Hasee Toh Phasee'.