Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui with partner (Varinder Chawla)
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui with partner Varinder Chawla

Shah Rukh Khan starring "Raees" will have a change in the cast as actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is expected to slip in the role previously allotted to Farhan Akhtar.

Akhtar was initially signed to play the role of a police officer in the Rahul Dholakia film. Latest development however, has forced the "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" star to quit the scene making way for the talented Siddiqui.

Akhtar had committed to the film a long time ago and was even recorded sharing bits about the film, when he revealed that superstar Khan will be seen as a local gangster in the flick.

But now, a major change in the allotted schedule of "Raees" has led to date clashes in the 40-year-old's packed schedule

"With Shah Rukh's injuries, the shoot of "Raees" got pushed forward. Zoya's (Akhtar) "Dil Dhadakne Do" also got delayed and eventually Farhan's dates for "Raees" were clashing with those that he had allotted to Bijoy Nambiar's film for Vinod Chopra. Farhan eventually realised that he would have to let this film go as he didn't want to delay the project any further. If all goes well, "Raees" should now roll post monsoon," informed a source to Times of India.

While Siddiqui's role in the film is expected to be a significant one, but the film's production house, Excel Entertainment, hasn't confirmed the report of his casting yet.

"The Lunchbox" actor is already working with Salman Khan in the upcoming "Kick" and if he comes on board for "Raees," it will be a double bonanza for the acclaimed actor providing him the opportunity to work with the stalwart Khans consecutively.

Siddiqui, however has already worked with the perfectionist Aamir Khan in "Talaash" and was also seen in a minor character in "Sarfarosh."

Meanwhile, the 39-year-old is also in talks of starring in a Varun Dhawan film which is likely to be produced by Saif Ali Khan's production house. The film will feature Huma Qureshi as one of the female leads and is to be directed by Sriram Raghavan of "Agent Vinod" fame.