Nationwide hunt to find actress to play Sangeeta Bijlani

After Kareena Kapoor declined the role, Ekta Kapoor will launch a nationwide hunt to find her Sangeeta Bijlani.

Mirror had earlier reported that Kareena Kapoor has opted out of the Ekta Kapoor-produced Mohammed Azharuddin biopic. She was to play Azhar's second wife, Sangeeta Bijlani, but chose to do Abhishek Chaubey's Udta Punjab instead. Now, after the studio's talks with several stars turned futile, they have decided to cast a new girl, the hunt for whom has begun.

A source close to the development revealed, "After conversations with several leading ladies led to no confirmation, the studio decided against casting an established name. They even looked at some Southern actresses, but none fitted the bill."

Confirming this, Balaji's Chief Creative Officer Tanveer Bookwala told Mirror, "We are gearing up for the biggest nationwide hunt to find Bijlani. A new girl will debut with the Azhar biopic." Asked why no leading lady agreed to do the role, Tanveer said, "It's a controversial role which requires a lot of gumption to carry off. We're sure to find one in the coming month as the film goes on floors in May."