After a prolonged wait, Hrithik Roshan has finally distanced himself from Dharma productions' project "Shuddhi".
The fate of the period romantic drama remained uncertain as filmmaker Karan Johar recently announced that Hrithik's frail health condition had postponed the film indefinitely.
But now the "Krrish 3" actor has come clean and issued an official statement backing out of the project, where he was to star opposite Kareena Kapoor.
"Karan Malhotra (director) and I have decided to unite in the most ambitious way post Shuddhi. For now, I cannot allow a vision like Shuddhi to stagnate any further. I had the finest experience as an actor working with Karan Malhotra in Agneepath and I'm sure that my dear Karans, Karan Johar and Karan Malhotra, are going to go beyond with this one. Shuddhi remains a part of me in spirit and I am sure it will be a landmark film in our cinema. I wish them all the best," The Times of India quoted Hrithik.
Hrithik's health condition and personal issues in life is understood to be the reason behind his exit from the project. The 40-year-old was expected to undergo grueling schedules for the film, which is based on the theme of reincarnation.
With Hrithik out of the project, Ranveer Singh's name is being suggested as a possible replacement.
"Shuddhi" initially made news for reuniting the once famed Hrithik-Kareena pair after a decade. However, producer Johar on announcement of the project's indefinite delay had hinted doubts over Kareena's association with the project in the long run. At such a situation, speculations about Deepika Padukone being roped in as the female lead are doing the rounds.