Director Srijit Mukherji refutes reports about Alia Bhatt playing lead in Hindi remake of 'Hemlock Society'

Update - Saturday, Feb. 20, 7.15 pm: Director Srijit Mukherji has denied reports of Alia Bhatt being finalised for the female lead in the Hindi remake of "Hemlock Society." It was earlier reported that Srijit had roped in Alia for the character of Meghna (originally played by Koel Mallick) in the critically acclaimed movie.

In a Twitter interaction with International Business Times India, the director said that he just had a casual conversation with a journalist in a different context, regarding the cast of his upcoming project "Begum Jaan." Srijit said he told the scribe that there is no suitable role for Alia in "Begum Jaan" but she could be ideal for the character of Meghna in "Hemlock Society."

"It was a casual, hypothetical conversation that too in a different context, namely casting for Begum Jaan," Srijit replied to IBTimes India on Twitter. "What I said was there is no character in Begum Jaan apt for her, instead I think she would be an ideal Meghna in HS!" he further added.

The director also said that he has not even approached Alia for any such film and has no plans to do that as of now. Moreover, there are no plans to make Hindi remake of"Hemlock Society" yet as Srijit told a fan on Twitter that only "Rajkahini" is being made in Hindi.

Meanwhile, Alia's father and film-maker Mahesh Bhatt too joined in the Twiter chat and said that he would love to see the actress work in a Srijit Mukherji directed film. "@srijitspeaketh I would love to see her in a film directed by you!," tweeted Mahesh Bhatt. The Bengali director replied saying, "Same here sir:)".

Original

Alia Bhatt, who will next be seen in upcoming movie "Kapoor and Sons," has been roped in to play the female lead in the Hindi remake of Bengali movie "Hemlock Society." 

Director Srijit Mukherji has confirmed the news, saying that Alia would perfectly fit into the role. "Yes, I have spoken to Mahesh Bhatt saab about a Hindi version of 'Hemlock Society.' I feel Alia would be ideal for the role that Koel Mallick did in the original," the Asian Age quoted Srijit as saying. He is the same director who made the original version of the critically acclaimed movie.

"Hemlock Society" is a dark comedy that revolves around a girl, who wants to commit suicide to end her emotional sufferings, while the male lead gives her lessons on how to commit suicide successfully. However, there is no information on who will play the male lead in the Hindi remake.

Alia is currently busy shooting for Gauri Shinde's upcoming movie that also features Shah Rukh Khan in lead. Her forthcoming film "Kapoor and Sons" features Sidharth Malhotra and Fawad Khan in lead. Directed by Shakun Batra and produced by Karan Johar, it is a romantic comedy. Apart from Alia, Sidharth and Fawad, Rishi Kapoor also plays the role of a grandfather. The film will hit the screens on March 18.