Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan 'not replaced in Heroine'

Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan has not been replaced as the lead in Heroine by Kareena Kapoor, the film's makers have said.

The pregnant actress left the production after director Madhur Bhandakur decided that it would be too difficult to continue filming.

Studio UTV told New Kerala: "We would like to clarify that no casting has been finalised for Heroine at all."

The Indian media had reported that Kapoor had settled for a lower fee after negotiations with the studio.

UTV added: "We further wish to state that no financial terms have been agreed upon and definitely not even remotely close to the figures quoted in the article today."

Bhandarkur has previously denied stories that he is replacing Rai-Bachchan and has said that the project is on hold indefinitely.

In June, the director accused Rai-Bachchan of hiding her pregnancy after he was forced to abandon the film, centering on the career of a Bollywood heroine.

Kapoor said in July that Heroine had originally been her film and that she had been unable to act in it because of scheduling clashes.