Deepika Padukone not a part of Shah Rukh Khan’s next?

Mumbai: Deepika Padukone has reportedly opted out of Shah Rukh Khan’s next directed by Aanand L Rai. The dimpled beauty, who impressed moviegoers by her performance in her debut Hollywood film – xXx: Return of Xander Cage – is apparently running short of dates for the SRK starrer.

According to a report in Miss Kyra, Deepika had no choice but to opt out of Rai’s film owing to date issues. She had already set aside her dates for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period film  - Padmavati – and us busy shooting for the magnum opus in which she will be essaying the titular role.

For those who may not be aware, Deepika began her Bollywood career with Shah Rukh’s ‘Om Shanti Om’ directed by Farah Khan. Since then she has schared screen space with him twice – ‘Chennai Express’ and ‘Happy New Year’. And on both the occasions, her chemistry with SRK rocked the Box Office.

Rai’s film will reportedly see Khan essaying the role of a dwarf. Reports also suggested that Katrina was being considered to play the female lead. Nonetheless, there has been no official confirmation regarding the same.