Genelia opposite John in Kaakha Kaakha remake

The casting of the leading lady opposite John Abraham in the Hindi remake of the Tamil blockbuster Kaakha Kaakha had producer Vipul Shah, director Nishikant Kamat (Mumbai Meri Jaan) and leading man John Abraham climbing collectively up the nearest wall.

First it was Asin Thottumkal who had been signed. But then she chose to give away her dates to the Salman Khan starrer Ready directed by Anees Bazmi. Desperate for a heroine, Vipul Shah"s spirits soared when his London Dreams heroine Katrina Kaif was suddenly with free dates after the postponement of Dostana 2. But she chose a Yashraj film with Imran instead.

Matters came to a point where the team was ready to shoot without a heroine in the hope that a suitable match for John will show up next. Luckily Genelia D"Souza has now stepped in to the empty space. Lately things have not been moving too smoothly for the perky Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na actress. John and Genelia got to know one another well during the cell phone ad that they did together. It was only a matter of time before a movie materialized.

The shooting of the untitled Hindi version of Kaakha Kaakha began on Saturday.

Producer Vipul Shah confirmed the last minute casting of Genelia. “Yes, she"s the girl opposite John. We"re in the process of signing papers even as we speak."