Mumbai, Sep 29 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was slated to play a key role in Jahnu Barua's second Hindi film "Har Pal", but the dates proved to be the culprit. The Big B had to bow out and Dharmendra has now stepped into the part.Barua, who earlier made the award winning film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, had even announced the superstar's name in an interview.

The film has Preity Zinta and Shiney Ahuja in the lead.

"I've just completed a stunning film with Amitji entitled 'The Last Lear'. It would've been great fun to work with him again. But Dharamji is adorable. I've done so many films with Sunny and Bobby. But I've never worked with him before. It's an experience worth cherishing," Preity told IANS.

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Nana Patekar turns truck driver in 'Horn Ok'

Nana Patekar and surprises go hand in hand. The versatile actor is all set to play a truck driver in a Rajkumar Santoshi production.

The film, a comedy entitled "Horn Ok", will be directed by Rakesh Sarang.

"Nana excels in comedy. He was the first and last choice for the trucker's role," said a source from the film.

Santoshi, who's busy with the post-production of Ajay Devgan-Pankaj Kapur-starrer Halla Bol, is determined to give outside directors a chance. The pre-production work of his "Ramayana" epic, which has Ajay as Rama, Kajol as Sita, Riteish Deshmukh as Laxman and Prakash Raj as Ravan, is also keeping the director busy these days.

Cameraman-turned director Sarang has done commendable work on television so far. He has directed serials like "Aashirwaad", "Abhimaan" and "Kartavya". This would be his first feature film and a road movie at that.