Riya Sen

Riya Sen dropped from 'The Bong Connection'

It seems the Sen sister combination of Riya and Raima is not destined to happen. It's final now! Riya Sen is out of 'The Bong Connection'.

Riya, who had re-entered the film (because she could not adjust the dates she had given to Subhash Ghai's film) and made an appearance at the press conference in Kolkata on January 27th, has now been dropped from the project.

Producer Joy Ganguly revealed, "Soon after the conference, Riya shocked us by saying that we should push her dates with us further. We wanted to shoot with her in the US from March 23rd and the entire logistics including the combination dates with other actors, had been worked out."

"She wanted us to shoot with her starting on March 28th because she had to shoot for Mukta Arts Sapna Apna Money Money on those five days. I cannot push the shooting any further. Actually, I was supposed to start with her on March 15th and because of her Mukta Arts commitment, she had promised that she would start on March 23rd. What is the guarantee that she will shoot from March 28th onwards?"

Ganguly says that the production unit called her to inform her that they would have to drop her.

"Riya sent back a message to the director Anjan Dutt and the executive producer Arindam saying that it was okay."

So who will play Riya's role now? "We are zeroing down on a name very soon, but one thing is clear, I need someone who can speak Bengali," the producer says.

Produced under the banner Moxie India, 'The Bong Connection' is 75 per cent in English and the rest in Bengali.

When contacted, Riya said, "Yes, I am not doing 'The Bong Connection'. Mukta Arts is my first priority. And I think I can shoot for 'The Bong Connection' starting on March 26th. If they (Moxie India) cannot adjust the dates for two days, it's their loss."

Ganguly shot back, "We are not at a loss. And I wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

'The Bong Connection' stars Raima Sen, Victor Banerjee, Shayan Munshi and newcomer Param Datta. It is based on the lives of Bengalis living in India, as well as abroad.