Karnik's stuck, follows Zinta and IPL to SA

The Heroes director's next biggie stalled, to shoot T20 matches for PZ

The Heroes director's next biggie stalled, to shoot T20 matches for PZ

And Away We Go! Preity Zinta and Samir Karnik

The recession-hit industry notes one more casualty.

Heroes director Samir Karnik's plans to make a big-budget adventure caper Formula 44 have been put on hold indefinitely.

Atak gayi

The film, expected to go on floors mid-2009, has been stalled indefinitely. Meanwhile, Karnik leaves for South Africa to shoot IPL-related footage.

Says the director candidly, "It's true that Formula 44 is on the back-burner at the moment. It needs a big budget and a big cast."

Unfulfilled wishes

An ambitious cast had been announced for Formula 44 some time ago. Confesses Karnik, "Sadly, that was just a wishlist. In fact, I had to personally apologise Ajay Devgan, whou00a0 was mentioned in the cast.

He was gracious enough to not only brush off the premature announcement but also to agree to consider a role. At the moment, I only have Bobby Deol and possibly Ajay Devgan."

But the film requires at least three big male stars. And Karnik isn't getting them.

Putting his ambitious project on hold, he's off to South Africa on good friend Preity Zinta's request. "She has asked me to shoot some of the matches. I'm taking up the offer," he concludes.

Exercising caution

Karnik also intends to focus on his career as an ad maker until the industry gets back to normal. "These are tough times," he concedes. "And we need to exercise caution."