Emraan ditched Imran signed?

Emraan Hashmi has been ditched by the makers of Once Upon A Time in Mumbai sequel. Akshay will now play the character reportedly inspired by Dawood Ibrahim.

There is also another hero who will be cast and speculation is rife that it could be Ranveer Singh or Imran Khan. Ranbir Kapoor's name is also being taken. But BT knows that Ranbir will not play second fiddle to any actor in the industry. Director Milan Luthria says "Yes, there is another hero to be cast. We have considered a few names but the casting is yet to happen."

Milan is also excited about working with Akshay. The duo had first worked together in Mahesh Bhatt's Angaarey where Milan was AD. Ask him whether there has been a fallout between the director and his earlier Dawood - Emraan Hashmi, and Milan says, "No such thing. Emraan played the young Shoaib. The story jumps forward in the sequel to a point where Shoaib in in his forties, and the character needed someone with Akshay's maturity."

Who's trying to sabotage Akshay's image?

Actor Akshay Kumar was to perform at the Balaji Global Indian Film and TV Honors (GIFTH).

When he stepped onto stage, the music started. Akki was to do an action sequence and unveil his look for Milan Luthria's Once Upon a Time in Mumbai 2, produced by Ektaa Kapoor.

But mid-way through the act, the music stopped. This, in spite of having a few reheasals the previous day. Though most of the assistants backstage say it was a technical glitch, Akshay and Ektaa believe otherwise. They are of the opinion that someone sabotaged Akshay's act on purpose.

Some say there was a producer around who got along famously well with Akshay Kumar once upon a time, but later the two had a fall out. However, nothing can be said on this for sure, but Ektaa is adamant to get to the bottom of this, we hear.