Mumbai: If all had gone well Mardaani’s arch-villain Tahir Raj Bhasin would have bagged a meaty role opposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as the main antagonist in Sanjay Gupta’s 'Jazbaa'. However the purported casting fell through even before negotiation.

Apparently Yash Raj’s blue-eyed boy isn’t allowed to sign any films without mentor Aditya Chopra’s consent. Says a filmmaker, “It is very embarrassing to have one’s offer and script filtered through the Chopras, so I’d rather approach someone more accessible.”

Gupta has gone to Abhimanyu Singh that volatile and powerful actor from Ram Gopal Varma’s Rakta Charitra and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 'Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela'. Though not allowed to comment much on his role in Jazbaa Singh, who is currently shooting in Bhuj for a Gujarati film directed by Vijay Giri, said, “It’s a character-based film.And I play a character who goes through many changes. He starts off one way and ends up in another.It’s challenging role.”

Equally challenging is the role that Abhimanyu has bagged with Tamil superstar Vikram in '10 Enradhukulla'. “I can’t begin to tell you what a pleasure it was to work with Vikram. He is such a brilliant actor and so hassle-free.I’ve worked with actors with not even an iota of his talent who gave me hell.”