Sam on a comic run

Priyadarshan's next comedy De Dana Dan has been delayed because the prolific filmmaker wants to concentrate on the Darsheel Safary-starrer Bam Bam Bhole. The project, however, has an added member in actress Sameera Reddy.

De Dana Dan is not technically a sequel to Hera Pheri, but is a kind of follow-up that stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Suniel Shetty and Neha Dhupia.

Said Sameera: "I've never worked with Priyan before. But I think he liked my comic timing in Race where I played Anil Kapoor's airheaded assistant. That's how I am in De Dana Dan too. I've always been a big Priyan fan, by the way."

Sameera's enthusiasm, however, will have to wait. Priyan's comedy has now been shifted from November 2008 to January 2009 because he is busy with Bam Bam Bhole starring child actor Darsheel Safary of Taare Zameen Par fame.

And the director sure is excited about it.

"Bam Bam Bhole is not a small arthouse film. It's a full-on entertainer. And it needs nurturing. Once I release Billo Barber, I need to promote Bam Bam Bhole properly. De Dana Dan with Akshay, Katrina, Sameera Reddy, Suniel Shetty and Neha Dhupia has gone forward by a few months."

His Billo Barber stars Shah Rukh Khan, Irrfan Khan and Lara Dutta.

De Dana Dan was earlier meant to be popular south Indian actress Asin's Bollywood launch pad.

"Yes," Priyan agreed. "But only initially. Once the script crystallised, it was Katrina all the way."

Asin will make her big Bollywood entry opposite Aamir Khan in the much-awaited film Ghajini.