Santoshi asks Abhishek to return the signing amount

Abhishek and Aishwarya Bachchan are likely to star in filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi’s upcoming projects, ‘Ladies and Gentleman’ but unfortunately the film could not go on floor due to Aishwarya’s pregnancy. Santoshi has paid Rs 25 lakh each as a signing amount to both Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. As there is no any signal of Ash returning to films soon, Santoshi asked Abhishek to return the signing amount.

Abhishek is a true professional and without raising any objection, he returned the money to the producer. Santoshi went to Abhishek’s bungalow and Abhishek signed a cheque of Rs 50 lakh to him. The actor did not kept him waiting but returned the money immediately.

Confirming that he has received his Rs 50 lakh signing amount for Ladies and Gentleman, Santoshi said, "But I will make a new film with them, perhaps next year."

When Aishwarya was pregnant, Santoshi had said, "The fact that Aishwarya and Abhishek are going to be parents is far more important than my film. The role will no longer suit her."

Apparently, he had also approached Preity Zinta to step into Aishwarya’s role but being a close friend of the Bachchans, she refused to replace Aishwarya.

Santoshi has decided to put the film on hold and start on a new project.