I was to do Akshaye's role in 'Short Kut': Anil Kapoor

If the original cast of Short Kut The Con Is On would have remained intact audiences would have seen Anil Kapoor playing the role that Akshaye Khanna now essays Also Arshad was a late entry into the project as he finally got the part written for AkshayeYes the film did see some casting changes though all of it happened before it went on floors Akshaye was always the first choice for the film and he was on board immediately After Gandhi My Father it was but natural that he acts in my next production as well Anil said But due to a couple of reasons Anil had to opt out of the project and stay on primarily as a producer u00a0Originally I was supposed to do Akshayes role and he was to do Arshads role It was around the same time that Subhash Ghai asked me to do Black amp White I had no reason to say no since I have very high regard for him We have worked in some wonderful movies together Ram Lakhan Karma Taal and with Black amp White we would have come together after a long time the versatile actor said Around the same time Anils dates were also clashing with Yash Raj Films Tashan Subhashji certainly wanted me in his project and requested me if I could postpone Short Kut for a while Since I couldnt do that as we were ready to kickstart our project I proposed to move out of my own project This is when I requested Akshaye to step into the role written for me he said Considering the fact that Akshaye had made up his mind to play the role of a lovable brat wasnt it difficult for him to have a relook at the film with a different perspective See Akshaye is such a versatile actor that he could do well in both the roles He has a sensitive side to him something that I realised when I worked with him in Taal I had complete confidence that he would be convincing in the other role too Anil saidu00a0Roping in Arshad wasnt difficult at all He consented to the film immediately Incidentally Paresh Rawal too was approached for playing one of the important roles in Short kut We would have loved to see him as a part of our film We approached him for the role of an acting gurucumsecretary which is now being played by Chunky Pandey But Paresh was bowled over by Arshads part and wanted to do his role Anil revealed He was keen to play the role of a bad actor who achieves superstardom Nevertheless Im extremely happy with the way the final casting has worked out for my film Im now quite positive that audiences too would find the film as funny and entertaining as we all do Directed by Neeraj Vora Short Kut boasts of a special appearance by both Anil and Sanjay Dutt along with leading lady Amrita Rao in a dance number Mareezemohabbat The film is all set for a July 10 release