Siddharth's loss is John's gain

Everyone knows that John Abraham is doing David Dhawan's Hook Ya Crook but what few know is that David and UTV had earlier approached Rang De Basanti actor Siddharth for the same role.

The South star kept them hanging for dates, till the day the producers got fed up and replaced him with John.

Can't wait no more

The word in the industry is that the RDB actor is talented but producers are staying away as he is perceived as having an attitude problem.

A source from the production team says, "Besides the date hassles, Siddharth also wanted a bound script and also wanted to incorporate some changes. He is used to a certain way of working in the South and expects the same in Mumbai, which is not realistic.

We waited for him to give dates but Siddharth kept us waiting endlessly, so UTV decided to replace him with John who leapt at the chance of working with David."

Diplomatic talk

Hook Ya Crook has been written by Rang De Basanti writer, Rensil D'Silva. This is the first time that David Dhawan and John will be teaming up for a complete entertainer. David Dhawan admits, "Yes Siddharth is not doing Hook Ya Crook. I had approached him during Partner.

There were some date and script problems with Siddharth and things didn't work out. Now we have signed John. He loved the script and is completely 'hooked' onto it.

John is excited about working in a comedy again after Garam Masala." About Siddarth he adds diplomatically, "I would love to work with Siddharth again. He's a talented actor."

David is also in the process of finalising three major male characters and a female lead opposite John. He adds, "Though it's a David Dhawan comedy, there will be emotional elements.

I'm starting the film in October. Before that I'll start the Govinda, Riteish Deshmukh, Lara Dutta and Sushmita Sen starrer, produced by Vashu Bhagnani."