Why’s Sushmita not participating in ‘No Problem’ promotion?

MUMBAI - Director Anees Bazmee enjoyed working with Sushmita Sen in “No Problem”, but is clueless why his favourite actress is not participating in the promotional activities of his forthcoming laugh riot.

“About a fortnight ago there was a photo session with Rahul Nanda. Sushmita did not turn up for it. I don’t know why. I haven’t had a chance to ask her. The result of her absence from the photo shoot was that she is now missing from all the posters and hoardings,” said Bazmee.

Releasing Friday, the fun film stars Anil Kapoor, who is also producing the film, along with Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal and Kangana Ranaut.

Asked why Sushmita is not doing any media events and interviews for “No Problem”, and Bazmi said: “I wish I knew. But she is not. I haven’t had a chance to ask her. But I want her to know ‘No Problem’ is as much her film as Anil’s and the rest of the cast.”

“Sushmita is a big star in her own right. She definitely would add to the film’s audiences if she participated in its publicity. However, that was not to be.”

The director says he enjoyed working with the actress and would like to sign her again and again.

“I’ve had such a good time directing her. If I had my way, she would be in all my films. I’ll try to accommodate her in as many of my films as I can, just like I do with Anil. I don’t know whom she had a problem with. It was certainly not me,” said Bazmee.

This is not the first time when Sushmita has distanced herself from her film’s publicity. During Kalpana Lajmi’s “Chingaari”, she cut herself loose when she felt the film’s romantic lead Anuj Sawhney was trying to get publicity at her cost.

“The scenario is not very different this time,” says a source.

Apparently the real reason why Sushmita is staying away from all promotion and publicity of “No Problem” is the Anil-Akshaye pair.

“And why not? Anil is the film’s producer. He’s also a renowned limelight-hogger. He loves to make his presence felt. Sushmita has no problem with that. But she wants to know, who’s the lead pair of ‘No Problem’? Sush and Anil, or Akshaye Khanna and Anil?

“Anil adores Akshaye who was his leading man in his first production ‘Gandhi - My Father’. Anil loves to shower Akshaye wuth compliments. But you can’t do that at the cost of the rest of the cast. Sushmita certainly doesn’t appreciate being sidetrack in this way,” said a source.