Even though the signing on the dotted line is yet to be completed, word has it that the male lead in Sonam Kapoor’s upcoming film has been virtually confirmed. It will be Dulquer Salmaan, the son of veteran South sensation, Mammooty, who will be cast in the film adaptation of The Zoya Factor.

Dulquer, who is already a hit down South with films like Mani Ratnam’s O Kadhal Kanmani, Anjali Menon’s Bangalore Days and Martin Prakkat’s Charlie, is poised to enter Bollywood, debuting with Ronnie Screwvala’s Karwan. The film is touted to also feature Irrfan Khan and Mithila Palkar.

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Now the actor has supposedly accepted the offer to star in the screen adaptation of Anuja Chauhan’s 2008 novel The Zoya Factor. Buzz goes that it is an interesting character and he has liked the script. He is expected to sign on as soon as formalities are completed.

It was in August last year that Sonam had confirmed that she was a part of the film. “Super excited to work with amazing sister duo, Aarti and Pooja Shetty, with the brilliant Abhishek Sharma on Anuja Chauhan’s Zoya Factor,” she had revealed.

The film has an interesting premise. Sonam will play advertising executive Zoya Singh Solanki, who was born at the exact moment when the 1983 World Cup was clinched by India. The younger players in the Indian cricket team decide that having breakfast with her guarantees their victory, and crown her their lucky charm. Zoya finds herself chased by international cricket boards and wooed by advertisers. However, one person stands out in stark difference – the captain himself who doesn’t believe in luck at all! This will be the role that Dulquer will essay… and it goes without saying that the sparks will fly!

Incidentally, Anuja Chauhan’s bestseller had been searching for a screen debut for many years. The movie rights had initially been acquired by Shah Rukh Khan who had planned to rope in Shirish Kunder to helm the film. After three years of inactivity – SRK and Shirish had also had a huge public spat – the rights were acquired by Pooja Shetty Deora, daughter of Manmohan Shetty. Now Fox Star Studios is producing the film and is expected to make a formal announcement soon.