Deepika over Katrina

Salman wants Deepika Padukone for the remake of the South film Bodyguard

Buzz is that Atul Agnihotri's remake of the South flick Bodyguard with brother-in-law Salman Khan will star Deepika Padukone. Katrina Kaif was Atul's first choice but Sallu feels the Om Shanti Om girl is more apt for the role.

A source says, "Salman is keen on working with Deepika. He feels they will look good on screen. When Atul suggested Katrina's name, he shot it down saying the project needed a fresh pairing. He's watched the original and thought Deepika would fit the role perfectly."

Both Sallu and Dippy have had opportunities to work together in the past. The star wanted to work with her in Anees Bazmee's Ready, but talks fizzled out and Asin stepped in.

Salman and Kat were last seen together in Yuvvraaj (2008). Even though the film didn't work at the box-office, they had offers to work together. However, both chose not to work opposite each other. While Salman signed Zarine Khan for his home production Veer, Kat went on a signing spree with Ranbir Kapoor.

The source adds that the star is keen on repeating Zarine in Sajid Nadiadwala's Kick. "He's keen on signing new talent as opposed to working with the same faces."

Atul remained unavailable for comment.

A young man who is attracted to people with heroic qualities and follows them like a bodyguard. But the twist comes when he is hired to accompany a businessman's gorgeous daughter to college as a bodyguard. The Malayalam film Bodyguard features Dileep and Nayantara. Its Tamil version is being made with Asin and Vijay.