Shah Rukh Khan had got Akshay Kumar ousted from ‘Billu’

Spicezee Bureau

Mumbai, Feb 18: ‘Billu’ might have fizzled out without a trace at the Box Office, but the controversy surrounding the movie just doesn’t seem to end. After being involved in a neck deep tussle over its title that was later changed to ‘Billu’ from ‘Billu Barber’ and the recent MNS row over its item song ‘Marjani’, the latest speculation has pitted the two titans Akshay Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan against one another. Buzz has it that it was action man Akshay who was roped in to play the lead role in the flick directed by Priyadarshan. And it was only later that the star was mysteriously ousted of the project sans any explanation. According to Spicezee sources, Priyan had character sketched the role keeping Akshay in mind. The filmmaker approached Akki, who after hearing the script had given his nod to not only act in the project but also produce it under his banner Hari Om Productions. But strange as it may sound just a day before the matter was to go on papers, Akshay was informed that the film has been called off. It was only later that Akshay came to know of Priyan’s plans with Shah Rukh Khan. A news daily even quoted a source as saying, “The script of Billu (then known as Billu Barber) was narrated to Akshay Kumar as director Priyadarshan was keen to make the film with Akshay. Priyan believed that any film of his that did not star Akshay failed at the Box-Office. For instance, Priyan’s film Kyunki with Salman Khan, Dhol with Tusshar Kapoor and Sharman Joshi and Mere Baap Pehle Aap with Akshaye Khanna.” Once the actor came to know that the project was very much live and was starring Shah Rukh now, he met up with the director. “After Akshay got to know about SRK’s involvement in Billu, he and Priyan had a meeting at Mehboob studios. That’s where Priyan personally told Akshay that he was making the film with SRK. There was no bitterness between Akshay and Priyan as they mutually decided to not make a big issue about this”, adds the source. Well after ‘Billu’ bombed at the BO, we are sure Akshay is thanking his lucky stars.