Huma Qureshi replaces Kangana in Dedh Ishqiya

Putting all rumours to rest, it has now been revealed that Huma Qureshi has replaced Kangana Ranaut in the sequel of Ishqiya. Huma Qureshi, who is already working under Vishal Bhardwaj's production house opposite Emraan Hashmi, has been roped in. Incidentally Richa Chadha was also a front-runner for the same role. Vidya Balan played the heroine in the original film.

A source informs, "Director Abhishek Chaubey has taken his own time to finish the script of Dedh Ishqiya. He wanted to start the film only after he was sure of the script. Now that it is ready and the cast has been locked, it is ready to roll out. Earlier Kangs was signed for the film but there was a problem regarding her dates that were overlapping with the ones for Sai Kabir's next. Kangana could not accommodate Vishal's film."

With both Huma and Richa being noticed in Gangs of Wasseypur, apparently the two were in close competition. The source adds, "Huma was selected since she had already worked with Vishal in Kannan Iyer's next. The shoot starts on February 18 in Lucknow."

Huma remained unavailable for comment.