Didn't we tell you that Ram Gopal Varma Ka Sholay is making more news for its casting capers than anything else? Now, there's more.

According to director Ram Gopal Varma, it was while making Sarkar that he got the idea to repeat Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan in another film. But as the script for the film progressed further, Ramu found the process complicated.

"I got stuck while writing the climax scene. Sholay is a revenge story, of good winning over evil. And the scene where Amitabh is pitted against Abhishek - the famous Gabbar Singh versus Dharmendra fight in the original - wouldn't have seemed palatable from the viewer's point of view. Visually, it would've been very distracting, I realised," says Ramu.

He decided to bring it up with Abhishek and dad Bachchan Sr to discuss the issue. "Together we sorted it out. Abhishek didn't feel bad."

"He understood the situation completely," says Ramu. It was finally decided that actor Saif Ali Khan could play the role of Veeru from Sholay.

On casting Saif, Ramu says, "Veeru's character is of a playful flirt. Saif fits the bill perfectly. He has that boyish charm and a certain kind of humour that's very interesting. I remembered Ek Hasina Thi, the movie that he did which showcased his humourous, romantic and violent streak in different phases. Saif is my Veeru."

Saif is equally excited to play the role that was immortalised by Dharmendra. He has seen Sholay umpteen times. "I am obviously excited, who wouldn't be?" says an excited Saif.

Though the formalities are yet to happen, Saif is the director's choice. "It's a big challenge. And it's an opportunity to do something creative," says Saif.