27 November,2009 07:32 AM IST | | Subhash K Jha
Now that Akshay Kumar has stepped into Tees Maar Khan in a role apparently earmarked for Shah Rukh Khan, it is being whispered that the Khiladi wants the 'Khan' knocked off the title. Akki wants to break that instant connect between Shah Rukh and Farah Khan in the public eye. However, Farah is adamant on the title.
Akshay admits he did think the title should be changed. "But then Farah explained the historical significance of Tees Maar Khan and I was okay with it," he says.
But Farah denies the film was ever offered to SRK. "My husband Shirish Kunder wrote Tees Maar Khan with Akshay in mind. In fact, Akshay is co-producing theu00a0 film under his banner Hari Om Productions along with Shirish'su00a0 production house Three's Company."
He's a smart cookie!
She adds, "Tees Maar Khan is a character out of an old folk tale. He conned his way into becoming the king's general and even married the princess. Even today, when someone is a smart aleck we say, 'Apne aap ko bada tees maar khan samajtha hain."
It is learnt that Akshay plays a modern-day Tees Maar Khanu00a0-- a reputed con-artiste known internationally.
About his female co-star in the film Akki says, "I've no clue about who theu00a0 heroine is. I never interfere with these things. Why don't you ask Farah?".
She explains, "It's a great commercial film for any actress. It's a one-heroine subject. I think I present my actresses well. If I don't find a good new girl, I'll go for an established heroine. We haven't started screen testing yet."
