When Bollywood stars steered clear of their own projects

Usually when their films are up for release, stars go overboard and often become self obsessed in promoting themselves and their movies. Even the usually reticent stars, who hide under a rock, step out to talk about themselves. Industry experts say it's important for an actor to do all he/she can to build hype around a film. Once an actor takes up a project, they should be with it right till the final stage - its release. There are, however, several actors who abandon their projects once the film wraps up or even during the filming. Unhappy over their roles or the treatment meted out to them vis-à-vis other stars in the film, they feel it is better to steer clear from the project, thus leaving it in a lurch.

Bipasha Basu is rumoured to be at loggerheads with Humshakals director Sajid Khan over her female co-stars getting more attention. This is why she is said to be missing from the film's promotional events. Pic/AFP

Bipasha Basu's no-show at the trailer launch of Humshakals on Thursday is one such instance, the actress' absence did raise many eyebrows. The buzz has it that she is not exactly on the same page with director Sajid Khan.

Apparently, she is not too pleased about being given the same treatment as co-stars, Tamannaah Bhatia and Esha Gupta, who are junior to her in Bollywood.

However, when asked about Bipasha's no show at the event, Sajid maintained that all's well. "I wish she could be at the event, but she has been unwell. I am sure she will be there at our other events in the future."

Obviously, there is a lot to read between the lines. As reported earlier in hitlist, there seems to be a cold war between the makers of Humshakals and Bips. Earlier, the actress had skipped the promotions of the film on reality show, Dance India Dance, as well. Bips' spokesperson had attributed her no show to her non-availability on that date "due to a brand endorsement shoot."

Sources, on the other hand, have been saying that Bips, who has had reservations about the ‘treatment' meted out to her as compared to her female co-stars, has been unnecessarily creating issues.

A look at some earlier instances when stars have disassociated themselves from their films...

Not so Babli

A bubbly bash for the film, Shootout at Wadala (2013), with actress Priyanka Chopra (above), which Kangna Ranaut (belowis said to have found hard to digest

Last year, Kangna Ranaut was conspicuous by her absence from the promotions of Sanjay Gupta's film, Shootout at Wadala. The actress felt that Priyanka Chopra, who had done the item number, Babli Badmaash Hai, in the film, was being billed as the lead actress.

The fact that the film's poster had PeeCee, and not Kangs, on it only added to the latter's woes.

No laughing matter

Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha

Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha did not promote their 2012 film, Joker, due to differences with director Shirish Kunder. It had even led to distributors demanding a compensation for their losses from Akshay, claiming that had he been a part of the promotions, the film would have done better business. There were rumours that Sona had steered clear from the promotions upon Akki's insistence.

The ex files

Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor refused to shoot a promotional video for their film, Milenge Milenge (2010)

Plans to bring Kareena Kapoor and ex-beau Shahid Kapoor together to promote their long-in-the making film, Milenge Milenge, which finally released in 2010, hit a roadblock when the two refused to promote it together. Producer Boney Kapoor and director Satish Kaushik could not even get the the two to shoot for a promo video.

Release jitters
Riya and Raima Sen, who featured in 3 Bachelors with Sharman Joshi, preferred to be mum about their project that saw light of day after almost a decade in 2012. Sharman, meanwhile, is said to have felt that director Ajai Sinha and producers Manoj Rastogi and Pramod Sharma were trying to piggyback on the success of his other films.

Riya Sen Sharman Joshi and Raima Sen in 3 Bachelors (2012)

The makers had then sent Sharman a legal notice as they thought that the actor was defaming their film. The makers apparently said that since the actor had been paid for the film, he had no right to say anything about its release date.

Et tu?

>> Even though Priyanka Chopra did her bit for the film's promotion, Govinda was reluctant to promote Deewana Main Deewana that released last year after lying in the cans for years.

>> Similarly, Abhay Deol did not promote his 2010 film, Aisha, as he was not happy with the way the film had shaped up.

In the past

Dilip Kumar apparently distanced himself from his 1966 film, Dil Diya Dard Liya. The thespian is rumoured to have interfered during the making of the film much to the chagrin of director, AR Kardar. To add to this, he was eventually dissatisfied with the outcome and preferred to keep himself away from the project.