Katrina Kaif walks out of her next opposite Varun Dhawan

Actress Katrina Kaif, who won rave reviews for her riveting performance in the Aanand L Rai-directed Zero (2018), has bowed out of Remo D’souza’s forthcoming dance film opposite Varun Dhawan.

The untitled project was announced earlier this year amid much fanfare. Kat has to let go of it because her dates were clashing with her upcoming film Bharat, co-starring superstar Salman Khan and Disha Patani.

A statement released by the actress’ spokesperson read, “Katrina Kaif had to opt out of Remo D’souza’s upcoming dance film owing to her hectic schedule for Bharat. Katrina has always been a thorough professional. She decided to step out of the film as her dates were clashing with Bharat, which she is currently shooting for.”

Producer Bhushan Kumar, who is producing both Bharat and the dace film, confirmed the news. “Katrina has walked out of the film, and it was a mutual decision. She is shooting for my film only with Salman Bhai, and that is going a little ahead. We are having a date clash. That is why we, unfortunately, had to do it, even though we really wanted her (in the dance film),” he said.

Besides Varun Dhawan, the yet-to-be-titled film also stars choreographer-actor-filmmaker Prabhudheva along with Dharmesh Yelande, Raghav Juyal and Punit Pathak. The makers will announce the name of the new female lead soon.

According to reports, Remo will not helm the project. It will be directed by one of his associates. Touted to be the biggest dance film of Bollywood, it is being planned as the third instalment of the ABCD film franchise. Remo D’souza is co-producing it with Bhushan Kumar.

The film goes on floors on January 22^nd, 2019.