Akshay Kumar not doing Rakeysh Mehra's film

A rumour flying from the left to the right of the centre has people associated with Rakeysh Mehra agog. Though the director himself says he'd rather speak of the project only when it's firmed in, rumours of actors replacing Abhishek Bachchan in Mehra's next film Delhi 6 have been flying fast and furiously.

The latest one to join the band-wagon is Akshay Kumar. A very confident report in a daily announces that Akshay Kumar will be doing Rakeysh Mehra's semi-autobiographical film.

"Nothing of the sort! Rakeysh Mehra isn't even considering Akshay Kumar. The role of a young man coming of age in the hustle bustle of Chandni Chowk in New Delhi requires someone a little younger than Mr Kumar," a source every close to the project smiles politely.

Earlier there were reports of Hrithik Roshan stepping into Abhishek's shoes. "For a while when Abhishek's dates weren't working out Hrithik was a possibility. But Rakeysh was, and is, extremely keen to have Abhishek. The two have been discussing the script for years now." the close source informs, "Delhi 6 was written by Rakeysh with Abhishek in mind. They're very close friends and creative collaborators. Not too many people know Rakeysh was supposed to launch Abhishek in a film about Indo-Pak amity called Samjhauta Express. When J.P. Dutta stepped in with Refugee Rakeysh gladly backed out."

Even amidst the speculation as to who would finally do Delhi 6 when it starts shooting on location in Delhi this summer, efforts are being made to work Abhishek's dates out. "Abhishek understands Rakeysh as a director and an individual. Since the role is based on the director, no one is more qualified than Abhishek to be in Delhi 6," the source ends.

Laying to rest these unfounded rumours is Akshay Kumar himself. Speaking from Sydney in Australia Akshay says, "I haven't even been approached for any film called Delhi 6. I'm shooting for Hey Baby in Australia. Delhi seems very far away right now."