Deepika Padukone to sign an Indo-Chinese romcom directed by Siddharth Anand?

Though Stanley Tong’s action comedy adventure Kung Fu Yoga bombed at the Indian box-office, it did serve its purpose of the commencement of a chain of Indo-Chinese cinematic collaborations. In the next collaboration, filmmaker Siddharth Anand will direct a cross cultural romantic drama featuring Deepika Padukone.

Filmfare reports that Anand has cast Chinese actor Dang Chow for the lead role. He played the lead role in Stephen Chow’s fantasy romantic comedy The Mermaid that released last year. As per the same report, he was considering an A-list Hindi actor, with an established international presence, for the role opposite Dang.

Thus, the two Indian female actors who are making waves in Hollywood, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone, were being considered for the role.

Now, Zee News reports that Padukone has been finalised for the part. She made an impressive Hollywood debut with DJ Caruso’s action ensemble xXx: Return of Xander Cage, opposite Vin Diesel, which crossed Rs 20 crores in India. She is also rumoured to be part of Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi’s Beyond The Clouds , in the capacity of the sister of the lead actor, played by Shahid Kapoor’s younger brother, Ishaan Khattar.

On the other hand, Chopra has Seth Gordon’s action comedy Baywatch lined up for 26 May, in which she plays a negative role. However, it was recently reported that her television series Quantico has witnessed a dip in its ratings and might be taken off air soon. This might be a reason why Padukone was chosen over Chopra in Anand’s Indo-Chinese venture.

Chopra has not announced any Hindi film yet whereas Padukone is currently shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period biopic Padmavati, in which she plays the titular character of Rani Padmavati. The actor is expected to start shooting for Anand’s film after that.

She has collaborated with Anand in the past in the 2008 romantic comedy, Bachna Ae Haseeno. Instead of acting opposite her then-boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor, Padukone will be seen romancing Dang on the silver screen.

Interestingly, Chopra has also worked with Anand in the 2010 romantic comedy Anjaana Anjaani, opposite Kapoor.