There’s many a slip between the cup and lip… Sushant Singh Rajput and Rajkummar Rao won’t be coming together in Nitesh Tiwari’s film after all!

After the happy news of the Kai Po Che actors reuniting after their first film together in 2013, now comes the reality check: Rajkummar Rao has had second thoughts and won’t come on board! The two actors, both immensely popular in their own way, were set to star in Nitesh Tiwari’s next post his blockbusting Dangal (2016). Rumoured to be a college drama with a social message, the film is believed to be a celebration of life, which speaks of embracing both success and failure.

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The yet-to-be-titled film had already been announced with Sushant playing the lead. Nitesh was very keen on signing on Rajkummar for a parallel role. Kumar and Rao had even met a few times to further discuss the two-hero project. The script too had supposedly met with Rao’s approval.

However, it appears that Rao’s role paled in comparison to Sushant’s, and that was the reason that he eventually decided not to be part of the film. Buzz goes that while Rajkummar is open to doing multi-hero projects, he is not at all up for playing second fiddle to Sushant Singh Rajput.

Both Sushant and Rajkummar had started their careers at around the same time. Both actors have achieved success. While Sushant remains a hot-selling star, Rajkummar has come into his own with each passing year, winning critical acclaim and box office success. His performances have been nothing short of incredible.

At this point, he has graduated to playing a solo hero – he carried Newton on his shoulders to devastating effect. Apparently, this was the reason why he backed out of the Nitesh film. Playing a role that could end up looking like a second lead while Sushant essayed the central character, naturally did not fit in with his scheme of things.

Though the official excuse is that his diary is full with Stree opposite Shraddha Kapoor and Mental Hai Kya with Kangana Ranaut, we can understand exactly why Rajkummar is ‘too busy’ for this Sushant-starrer!