Akshaye speaks about TZP loss

Akshaye Khanna is a very talented actor but not a particularly lucky one, considering he, not Aamir Khan, was Amole Gupte's choice for the role of Ram Shankar Nikumbh in the 2007 blockbuster film Taare Zameen Par.

Unfortunately for Akshaye, Amole showed his script to Aamir who liked it so much that he not only decided to produce the film, but also grabbed Akshaye's role for himself.

Recalling the incident, Akshaye told us, "I was shooting in Mehboob Studios two years back when I came to know that Aamir was shooting in the same premises and decided to go and meet him, something we rarely get to do because of our busy schedules. Aamir told me that his friend Amole Gupte had a wonderful script and was dying to meet me, but Aamir wouldn't let him!

"I was stunned. Aamir then confessed to me that he himself liked the script so much that he decided to produce the film and work in it."

Akshaye, 33, rues the lost chance, but takes it in his stride.

"When I watched the film I was proud of Aamir. He's really made a good film. I have no regrets that I was not asked to do the film, but yes I do feel a bit jealous"

Akshaye's forthcoming films include:

Anil Kapoor Productions' Shortkut - The Con directed by Neeraj Vora with co-stars Amrita Rao, Arshad Warsi and Simi Grewal.

Ab Dilli Door Nahin directed by Nikhil Advani with co-stars Ayesha Takia, Boman Irani, Govinda, Suniel Shetty and Urmila Matondkar.