Confirmed! Shruti Haasan woe over; makers have zeroed in on a new actress

Mumbai: When Shruti Haasan opted out of what could have been the Indian version of ‘Wonder Woman’, ‘Sangamithra’, we thought the project will be delayed until further notice or shelved altogether.

But the producers of the film, Sri Thenandal Films, are in mood to abandon the project just because the then lead actress Shruti Haasan withrew herself from the period drama. Hema Rukmani, CEO of Sri Thenandal Films, told a tabloid, “We have found a replacement for Shruti and we are waiting for the right time to announce it.”

As far as Shruti walking out of the project is concerned, Rukmani sees it as a professional decision taken mutually by both the parties. “She (Shruti) did not opt out. We decided that we could not work together. It is very professional decision and we wish her well. But it’s just that we had to part ways.”

After Haasan, who announced her dissociation soon after returning from the Cannes Film Festival this year, where she represented the film and unveiled its first look, there were reports of South superstar Nayanthara playing the lead role. The CEO neither confirmed nor dismissed the reports, saying, “We have worked with Nayan before and she is an amazing artist. As ‘Sangamithra’, we all have read the script, at least I have. I know what a dream it would be to do that role. We have an image of Sangamithra in our minds and we are sure we will find the right replacement immediately.”

Hema Rukmani, however, has refuted reports of the script being not ready to go on floors. She said, “The script has been ready for months now. And if there is any fine tuning I think, till you go to the shoot fine tuning goes on.”

Directed by Sundar C, ‘Sangamithra’ also stars Jayam Ravi and Arya in pivotal roles.