Shahrukh dumps Shirish Kunder

Honeymoon Travels director Reema Kagti, and not Shirish Kunder, is now developing Zoya Factor. The film, produced by Shahrukh Khan's production company Red Chillies, is an adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name penned by Anuja Chauhan. Says a source, "Differences arose between SRK and Farah Khan's hubby over the screenplay and script. They had severe creative issues. Both were looking at the script with a different vision." At this point, SRK decided to change his director.

SRK offered the film to Reema as she seemed to understand what he wanted to do with the film. But he forgot to tell Shirish that he was giving the project to someone else to work on. Shirish found out by accident that the film no longer had his name on it. When Farah heard this, she was hurt and upset at the manner in which her hubby has been ousted. Adds the source, "Shirish had started work on the film and was looking for an actor who would play a cricketer. The film was supposed to go on the floors early next year."

Reema maintains, "I am writing the screenplay of the film, not directing it. Vishal Punjabi is directing Zoya Factor." Vishal was the visual effects producer for the SRK starrer Paheli which he had also produced. Meanwhile, Shirish says, "I was never supposed to direct Zoya Factor, only Joker." SRK remained unavailable for comment.

What is Zoya Factor?
It is about a girl called Zoya who was born exactly at the moment when India won the World Cup in 1983. Strangely, Zoya proves to be a girl of incredible luck for cricket matches. Whenever she watches a match, India ends up winning.