Ashutosh Gowarikar's "Mohenjo Daro" has finally signed newcomer Pooja Hegde to play the lead actress opposite Bollywood hunk Hrithik Roshan, thus ending the speculations regarding the female lead that started ever since superstar Roshan was roped in to play the male lead.
Previous reports claimed that Gowariker had initially approached Deepika Padukone and later Katrina Kaif for the role. But both actresses turned down the role, citing date issues. Later, reports suggest that Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and even "Dabaang" actress Sonakshi Sinha showed their interest in the project. But now it is said that the south Indian actress Hegde will make her Bollywood debut with "Mohenjo Daro."
"I am extremely happy to have found Pooja Hegde. She is very natural as an actress and has an elegance and poise that will make the character attractive and endearing. Both these strengths with a degree of freshness adds the required spark to the 'Mohenjo Daro' love story," said Gowariker, reported Times of India.
Hegde was crowned as the second runner up for Miss Universe India 2010 and made her debut as an actress with Tamil film "Mugamoodi."
This is not the first time that Gowariker has signed in new faces in his movies. Earlier, he had introduced Gracy Singh in "Lagaan" and Gayatri Joshi in "Swades."
Gowariker, who is known for his super hit movies, "Lagaan", "Swades", "Jodhaa Akbar", is all set to shoot for his big-budget film "Mohenjo Daro."
The Roshan starrer is a period drama set during the ancient Indus Valley Civilization and the project is slated to go on floors by October this year.
Recently, the lead actor, Roshan also made it to the headlines for charging ₹50 crore for the movie. If rumors are to be believed, with this deal, Roshan could be one of the highest earning Bollywood stars and "Mohenjo Daro" will become the most expensive film. [Read the full story here]
Currently, the actor is shooting for Siddharth Anand's big-budget movie "Bang Bang" opposite Kaif.
