It is a Rohit Shetty film produced by Karan Johar starring the irrepressible Ranveer Singh. Naturally, the casting of the female lead of Simmba has been whipping up loads of interest and causing some heartburn, too! As of now, the Bollywood press appears certain (and gung-ho) that Janhvi Kapoor has emerged as the front-runner and stories have been flying fast and furious of the newbie’s break. With Dhadak already in her kitty, this lovely daughter of Sridevi and Boney Kapoor seems to have beaten both Katrina Kaif and Sara Ali Khan to the post, bagging her very desirable next film.

However, PeepingMoon.com has confirmed khabbar that Janhvi has not been signed on for Simmba yet. Sources from both, Rohit Shetty Films and Dharma Productions, have said so. No actress has been confirmed yet. Rohit will lock that detail up next year, they added. The race is as open as it was when Rohit and Karan announced Simmba in the first week of December with the first look of Ranveer as Inspector Sangram Bhalerao in the cop’s uniform and a handlebar moustache. As to why Janhvi appears to be the dark horse in this race, it’s because Karan’s Dharma Productions is backing both Dhadak and Simmba. And Karan is known to be a great mentor to all his young protégés. Even her father Boney Kapoor had commented, “She is in good hands,” about KJo launching his daughter.

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Despite the unofficial denial from the Rohit-Karan camp, Bollywood sources say that the director is convinced of Janhvi’s suitability for his film. Rohit had earlier dissed rumours of Janhvi because Sara Ali Khan was reportedly being considered opposite Ranveer. But with Sara under contract and unable to sign new projects till her first film Kedarnath releases, her name dropped out of the race. Matters heated up again when it was revealed that Katrina Kaif was a strong contender for the role. Now this would have been really interesting – and not only because of the potential chemistry between Ranveer and Kaif. Who can forget that Ranveer’s reported sweetheart Deepika Padukone has been in a long-standing cold war with Kat ever since their mutual conflict over Ranbir Kapoor! So would Deepika actually free her lover-boy to romance her nemesis, even though only for reel? If Janhvi does not win this round, we may get the chance to find out!