It’s been a while since Deepika Padukone featured on screen after January’s Padmaavat and her fans, thus, were impatiently waiting for her next project with filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj. However, it seems like folks have to wait a little longer for her appearance on celluloid because if a report in a leading daily is anything to go by, Deepika has returned the signing amount of the film in question to Bhardwaj.

Deepika was cast opposite Irrfan Khan in the project while the film was put on hold after the actor was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in March. He is currently undergoing treatment in the UK while reports suggest that Irrfan is responding well and will begin work soon.

Recommended Read: Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone to have a traditional Sindhi wedding? Find out

Sources, in the meantime, informed the daily that Deepika apparently told Vishal that she will collaborate with him after Irrfan recovers, and thereafter, returned the amount. Deepika, in fact, is expected to marry her rumoured boyfriend Ranveer Singh in November.

No official confirmation has been provided on this matter, though, by neither Deepika nor Bhardwaj. In February, Bhardwaj had clarified that the film isn’t titled Rani and also denied rumours of it being based on Sapna Didi - the mafia queen of Mumbai in the ’80s.

As far as Irrfan’s health is concerned, the daily reported in August that he is doing well. Most of the filmmakers, according to the news report, visit Irrfan every time their itinerary involves a trip to London and reportedly said that the actor is seemingly fine. The 51-year-old actor, though, informed last month that he will not be able to shoot for the series Gormint (formerly known as Ministry) due to his “ongoing situation”.

Irrfan was last seen in Karwaan. Bhardwaj, meanwhile, is gearing up for the release of his new film Pataakha on September 28.