Paanch ka teen

Big B got five crores for Teen Patti, and gave the producers three days to shoot it!

Amitabh Bachchan signed Teen Patti last year. The film was to go on the floors last November but he didn’t give them dates. After several hitches, Big B, who was paid five crores for the film, has now given them three days.

Long delay

Says an industry insider, “Director Leena Yadav (Shabd) was planning this quickie with Amitabh Bachchan and Arshad Warsi as key members of the cast. The film also has two young actors making their debuts.

Teen Patti was supposed to go on the floors last year but Mr Bachchan delayed it. He has been paid five crores for this film — the highest fee he has recieved till date.”

According to a source, “The actor calls the director every time he is in town and tells her to make changes in the script. Even though the script was locked in a long time ago, the actor still finds newer and unrealistic points, which he feels should be dealt with.

Also, Bachchan feels the movie revolves too much around the younger stars of the film and that his role is very ill defined. He asked to the director to make the changes.”

Free for three

The source continues, “Mr Bachchan called Leena recently and told her he has got three days off from Shoebite and he can shoot Teen Patti in those days. The director and the producer are now rushing to erect a set in Film City, and get combination dates of the other actors.”

Producer Ambika Hinduja says, “I’d rather not comment on the film or its status till the first week of March, when it goes on the floors. We are busy with the pre-production.” When asked about Bachchan’s three-day allotment, she refused to comment.