Mumbai, March 25 (IANS) "Dhundte Reh Jaoge", United Television (UTV)'s new project, was without a hero till Sonu Sood stepped in.The actor says although he had a date crunch, he could not miss the chance to work with the banner. "There was no way I was going to give up this chance," Sonu, who featured in UTV's period romance "Jodhaa Akbar" as Aishwarya's cousin, told IANS.

Z ayed Khan, Kunal Khemu, Paresh Rawal and Soha Ali Khan were roped in for "Dhundte Reh Jaoge", which took off Sunday. But then Zayed backed out at the last minute because he and UTV couldn't agree on the price.

Instead of wasting time and negotiating with Zayed, UTV got in touch with their new blue-eyed boy Sonu asking for dates. The actor panicked because he had given dates to Rajshri Productions for "Yeh Vivah Aisa Bhi".

"After 'Jodhaa Akbar', UTV has indeed taken me under its wings, and about time. I have done pretty embarrassing things in the past like 'Sheesha'. Suddenly, I'm making the right moves. And 'Dhoondte Reh Jaoge' is definitely right," he said.

Like several recent films - "Om Shanti Om", "Halla Bol", "Mithya" and "Superstar", to name a few - "Dhundte Reh Jaogi" is set in the movie industry.

"I play this superstar who's roped into a peculiar situation. I get to play 11 different characters. I don't know why Zayed opted out. But I'd have been foolish to not accommodate it in my schedule. I had to request Rajshri to adjust. They obliged. I'm shooting some of 'Dhoondte Reh Jaoge' now and the remaining part later."

Sonu claims that he has the main role by default, thanks to Zayed. "The director Umesh Shukla and Pareshji had done a lot of theatre together. So they are a team. I'm looking forward to working with both of them because I haven't done anything like this.

"My son Ishaan is the happiest. After watching me ride horses and fight with swords, he'll get to see me playing Prem, a role patented by Salman Khan in Sooraj Barjatya's cinema, and then as a superstar in 'Dhoondhte Reh Jaoge'. I think I'm already a star for Ishaan," the actor gushed.