Why did Samantha opt out of a Mani Ratnam’s Kadal, after shooting for it for a few days? It has been said that it was due to “a date problem”! 

Hard to digest. As if she did not realise it when she signed the film and had promised bulk dates. It is an unwritten fact that any top heroine in Indian films will give their right hand to do a Mani Ratnam film and the reasons of her opting out of the projects sounds like a joke to many.

However in Andhra, the buzz is that the role demanded her to be tanned and fearing that it will affect her other Telugu projects she backed out! She has also signed some big films with top heroes and needs to look glamorous on screen.

Meanwhile the Kollywood grapevine is abuzz that Mani Ratnam and cameraman Rajeev Menon who saw the rushes of what they had shot were not happy with Samantha’s look. They felt that the actress looked “too mature for Gautham”, which did not suit the character she plays in the film.

The story goes that Samantha (27) looked much older to Gautham (19) and the character she plays in the film is just 13!

Samantha’s mature looks was a concern for Mani and hence he called the pretty young Thulasi (14) whose innocence and cute looks suits the character. Now Thulasi will be groomed and will be ready to shoot by July. Goodluck girl!

Meanwhile, Samantha tweeted: "Unfortunately I have to opt out of Mani sir's film. My loss... But had to do it..coz my being sick left my dates in a huge mess"