MUMBAI: The last book of the acclaimed author Chetan Bhagat that was adapted, ‘2 States’, had set the cash registers ringing at the box-office. Soon after the launch of his next novel ‘Half Girlfriend’, it was ‘Aashiqui 2’ filmmaker Mohit Suri who struck gold and got an opportunity to move forward with the love story.

Yes! It’s confirmed. Novelist Chetan Bhagat and director Mohit Suri are coming together with producer Ekta Kapoor, for the film, ‘Half Girlfriend’. Speculation had been rife on who will essay the lead role, and while many names were doing rounds, finally it’s unveiled that Sushant Singh Rajput has bagged the film.

“Contrary to rumors, several top-notch actors were eyeing the project, I hadn’t approached any one other than Sushant. Sidharth Malhotra and Alia Bhatt had come to see ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahaani’ during the edit and media concluded that I had cast them. I’d love to work with Alia but she is busy with her commitments and I don’t think that she has even read the book,” says Mohit.

The film is expected to roll early next year. However, the director is yet to decide on his leading lady. “I have discussed the script with Katrina Kaif and I would love to work with her, but nothing is cemented yet,” added Suri.

Well, Madhav Jha the main character in the novel is a Bihari boy and Sushant has lived in Patna, has a few Bihari friends and knows the language well. A source revealed that Mohit will be doing a couple of workshops with him since he plays a national-level basketball player, he’ll have to train in the sport.

Sushant Singh Rajput is doing well for himself, with a biopic on M.S. Dhoni and Shekhar Kapoor’s film already in the pipeline. Surely, a dark horse he is…