When it comes to working with two of south India's biggest superstars, Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth, you'd assume there's no thinking twice.
But looks like Kamal's hunt for a heroine for his latest film Vishwaroopam may have hit a major roadblock. Despite approaching some of Bollywood's A-list actresses, he hasn't been able to rope in a Bollywood leading lady for his dream project.
First he signed on the Dabangg beauty Sonakshi Sinha, who later opted out citing date issues. Her fluctuating weight added insult to injury considering this is an out and out spy-thriller that requires the heroine to be fighting fit.
And though sources say that Sonakshi may still be in two-minds about accommodating the film in her schedule, Kamal is not taking any chances.
The filmmaker has apparently approached both Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra for the role considering action has been a genre both the actors have experimented with in the past with Chandni Chowk to China and Don respectively.
"Kamal is very keen on shooting the first schedule of the film in August itself and that is precisely what's creating all the problems. Priyanka and Deepika both have their diaries packed for now, and to take out time for Vishwaroopam would be quite difficult. But yet we are hoping something should work out," says a source from Kamal's office.
He adds, "Kamal's very first choice after Sonakshi Sinha was Vidya Balan. But with The Dirty Picture and Kahani, the actress could not commit to the project despite wanting to be a part of it."
First, popular south director Selvaraghavan walked out of the project because of creative differences with Kamal. And now, the never-ending search for a leading lady.
So talk is that if none of them get on board soon, the south star will have to resort to casting a fresh face.
It may be a sheer coincidence, but both the superstars seem to be facing problems with their upcoming projects. Rajnikanth faced a similar issue with his film Rana where everyone from Vidya Balan to Madhuri Dixit to Rekha opted out of the film.
Interestingly, the reason Kamal is so keen on wrapping up the shoot for Vishwaroopam is also because he is aiming to release it alongside Rana. For some reason, the film has been facing trouble ever since its inception.
Post Dasavatharam, which tanked at the box-office, Vishwaroopam is Kamal's biggest and most ambitious project, but as of now it's turning into a one-man army. Kamal is acting, writing and directing the film, and is now just back from a location recce. The film that is expected to showcase special effects similar to that of Mission Impossible 2 will be shot in Uzbekistan, UK and other parts of Europe.