Diana Penty turns down 40 lakh first stage perform

Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; November 27, 2012)

Diana Penty, who made her B-Town debut in Cocktail opposite Saif Ali Khan, was recently approached by an event agency for her first stage performance. The model-turned-actress was requested to perform to her film's tracks ' Tumhi Ho Bandhu and Daaru Desi ' at an upcoming awards gala.

She was apparently offered Rs 40 lakh for the show that the organizers claimed was the highest amount offered to any debutante for a stage act.

However, according to the sources Diana turned down the offer! Says a source, " As she was contractually obligated to attend a brand event during the same time frame, there was no way she could have accepted it. Diana wouldn't have had any time to rehearse for it.

She had to decline the offer as she wanted her first appearance on stage to be perfect and needed time to rehearse which she would have been unable to during the same duration." Adds the source, " Diana was extremely keen on making her debut in a stage show. She has always enjoyed dancing and is a trained Kathak dancer." Diana who has yet to sign her second B-Town outing meanwhile keeps busy with her endorsement deals.

With the upcoming award season, the pressure is on as Diana along with Ileana are the 2 top contenders for the Best Debutant award . While Cocktail was Diana's first, Barfi worked out as Ileana's 17th film.