By Hindustan Times

Mumbai, April 3 -- Rajni now wants me to hear about Nana Patekar refunding the signing amount to Deepa Mehta after the film that she had confirmed him for didn't take off. Seems the international filmmaker had approached apna fiery actor for a movie and after hearing the subject, he quoted his fee of Rs 6 crore, I'm told.

Mehta found the remuneration too high and told Patekar that she was planning to make the movie in that much amount.

So after some haggling, the abhineta settled for Rs 1 crore, to be paid upfront, before the shooting began. Not surprisingly, Mehta agreed. But like the proverbial slip between the cup and the lip, their movie failed to take off. Predictably, the filmmaker asked Nana to refund the fee, as agreed. But that wasn't as easy as she imagined. Suna hai, it took Deepa over six months to get the cheque from Patekar. Anyway, better late than never. After all, such is life dearies.