Fawad replaces Saif

While heroes of the 50-plus brigade are doing two-three films a year, Saif Ali Khan is working like Gen Next is: one film a year. He did Humshakals in 2014, Phantom in 2015, and this year, it will be Rangoon.

Saif is quickly gaining a reputation of walking out of films, rather than signing them. The latest being, that he is no longer part of Salman Khan Films’ Jugalbandi, directed by Sameer Sharma (of Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurrana fame) and that Fawad Khan has stepped into that role.   

Saif was to play the part of a young man from the music industry based in London while Anil Kapoor plays a senior music teacher, who become friends after the titular jugalbandi. They later have a fallout due to ego hassles.

Fawad is a former musician and so, the role suits him better. Also, he made his Bollywood entry with Sonam Kapoor in Khoobsurat and is now set to work with her father in this film.  

Now, the big question is whether Saif will return the signing amount of Rs1.5 crore he got from SKF. When an actor leaves projects, or if a film is shelved, the signing amount is usually returned. Or the amount is adjusted in another film. It remains to be seen what happens here.