Sameera joins delayed 'De Dana Dan'

Oct 26, 2008 Subhash K Jha

Mumbai, Oct 26 (IANS) Priyadarshan's next comedy "De Dana Dan" has been delayed because the prolific filmmaker wants to concentrate on the Darsheel Safary-starrer "Bam Bam Bhole". The project, however, has an added member in actress Sameera Reddy.

"De Dana Dan" is not technically a sequel to "Hera Pheri", but is a kind of follow-up that stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Suniel Shetty and Neha Dhupia.

Said Sameera: "I've never worked with Priyan before. But I think he liked my comic timing in 'Race' where I played Anil Kapoor's airheaded assistant. That's how I am in 'De Dana Dan' too. I've always been a big Priyan fan, by the way."

Sameera's enthusiasm, however, will have to wait. Priyan's comedy has now been shifted from November 2008 to January 2009 because he is busy with "Bam Bam Bhole" starring child actor Darsheel Safary of "Taare Zameen Par" fame.

And the director sure is excited about it.

" 'Bam Bam Bhole' is not a small arthouse film. It's a full-on entertainer. And it needs nurturing. Once I release 'Billo Barber', I need to promote 'Bam Bam Bhole' properly. 'De Dana Dan' with Akshay, Katrina, Sameera Reddy, Suniel Shetty and Neha Dhupia has gone forward by a few months."

His "Billo Barber" stars Shah Rukh Khan, Irrfan Khan and Lara Dutta.

"De Dana Dan" was earlier meant to be popular south Indian actress Asin's Bollywood launch pad.

"Yes," Priyan agreed. "But only initially. Once the script crystallised, it was Katrina all the way."

Asin will make her big Bollywood entry opposite Aamir Khan in the much-awaited film "Ghajini".