Kareena, fresh from the success of her performance in Chameli , says she walked out of the film because of other pressing commitments. Kareena says that she agreed to do 'River Moon' since it appeared a very challenging role. However, she soon realised that she wouldn't have the time to do justice to her character in the film. After that there was little choice except to quit. It's a powerful script that requires complete involvement at every stage. Sadly that was something she couldn't afford.
Kareena denies suggestions that a packed schedule is the tip of the iceberg and that she shied away from doing a sexually charged role so soon after playing a prostitute in 'Chameli'. "Of course I don't want to get typecast into doing similar roles in the long run. But this had nothing to do with 'River Moon'. In the film I was supposed to play a widow who is subjected to severe sexual abuse and is quite unlike Chameli in every respect", she insists.
But rumors are that Kareena's walkout was prompted by fears that the story of 'River Moon' was too similar to 'Water'. A few minor changes do nothing to disguise the uncanny resemblance between the two films.
Set in the 1930s, 'River Moon' shows the plight of widows who were either forced to beg or become prostitutes. Given the almighty furore that stalled the shooting of 'Water' on the banks of River Ganges in January 2000, Mehta has now decided to play safe by taking her film to Chattisgarh instead of Varanasi. Talks are also said to be on with doe-eyed beauty Aishwarya Rai to play the lead.
Kareena is not the first to be scared off by the volatile subject. Like Bebo, Rahul Khanna too had cited date problems before backing out at the eleventh hour. Mehta, who had worked with Khanna in films like 'Bollywood-Hollywood' and '1942:Earth' and enjoyed a great comfort level with the affable actor, was reported to be deeply disappointed at his departure. He was eventually replaced with the good-looking John Abraham.
Mehta however is not allowing the setbacks to dampen her spirit. The problems she says are a part-and-parcel of every Bollywood production. "Everything is moving smoothly. A few minor hiccups are only to be expected. Very soon I will have my entire team in place and we can begin shooting," she claims.
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