Dharmendra replaces Amitabh Bachchan in Har Pall

They've always been terrific co-stars. Now they're in a position where they can exchange roles …comfortably.

Amitabh Bachchan was slated to play a key role in Jahnu Barua's second Hindi film Har Pall which has Preity Zinta and Shiney Ahuja in the lead. In fact, Barua had even announced the indefatigable superstar's name in an interview. However, the dates proved to be the culprit. And the Big B had to bow out. Now it’s Dharmendra who has stepped into the part.

Says Preity, "I've just completed a stunning film with Amitji entitled The Last Lear . It would've been great fun to work with him again. But Dharamji is adorable. I've done so many films with Sunny and Bobby. But I've never worked with Dharamji before. It's an experience worth cherishing."

Enough of Deol Drama now!

Family films are here to stay. While Bhairavi featuring the the three Bachchans has been put on hold, the Deols are going ahead with a second film featuring Dharmendra with his two sons.

"We made you cry in Apne. Now we want to make you laugh." This is the promise that Bobby Deol made on his family's behalf in London earlier this month when a saleslady at a departmental store accused him of making her sister cry.

On his return home Bobby initiated the idea with his Sunny Bhaiyya who was game.

And now the hunt is on for a comedic script that would showcase the Deol family as effectively as Apne.

"See, drama is relatively easier. And still we had to wait for years before Anil Sharma, a family friend, could come up with the script for Apne," says Bobby. "Comedy that would accommodate all three of us is even tougher specially since Dad has done such great comic work in Chupke Chupke,Pratiggya and Sholay."

If the comic screenplay doesn't materialize the Deols will go ahead with another drama, directed again by Anil Sharma.

But this time, the family film will be produced by the Deols since they feel Apne wasn't promoted properly.

Bobby is incredulous. "And still it has touched hearts of viewers across the world. We've decided to work together as often as possible. Apne will always remain a favourite. Dillagi that my Bhaiyya directed with both me and him in the lead is also very close to my heart."