Over a week after Chitrangda Singh walked out of Kushan Nandy's much delayed film, 'Babumoshai Bandookbaaz', the makers have apparently zeroed in on a replacement. Richa Chadha is likely to step in as Nawazuddin Siddiqui's leading lady.
Chitrangada had alleged that the makers were forcing her to do intimate scenes that were unnecessary and also did not go with her character. She claimed that she was asked to wear an unbuttoned blouse and a petticoat, and lie on Nawaz with her legs spread apart. The two parties had an ugly spat and traded several allegations against each other after she opted out of the film.
Says a source, "The makers were waiting for the controversy to blow over before announcing a replacement. They are finalising another actress and want to begin anew. In all probability, it is going to be Nawaz's 'Gangs of Wasseypur' (2012) co-star Richa."
A cautious Nandy says, "Richa is a wonderful actor and it would be a pleasure to have her on board, but at this juncture, I cannot comment on this. I am confirming and not confirming (the story) at this point."
He adds that their ongoing shoot in Lucknow has not stopped post Chitrangada's exit. "Our shoot is on schedule," says the director.
The long-in-the-making film had gone on the floors earlier this month in Lucknow. Nawaz and Chitrangda had shot for 'Babumoshai Bandookbaaz' in December 2014 in Kolkata, Bolpur and Burdwan in West Bengal. The shoot was, however, affected due to alleged trouble with local technicians and non-payment of dues.
Nandy then started it as a new project and whatever had been shot earlier was scrapped. He now has the added task of deleting what was shot with Chitrangda in the current Lucknow schedule.
Richa, who is attending an awards ceremony in Spain, remained unavailable for comment.