Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor
Salman Khan, Shahid KapoorVarinder Chawla

A glimpse of Shahid Kapoor's unrecognisable rugged avatar in Vishal Bhardwaj's "Rangoon" has everyone talking, but here's another news that may prove to be more exciting for his fans. He is being considered for a Sajid Nadiadwala film, for which apparently Salman Khan was once a contender.

The young actor is one of the front-runners for the Hindi remake of Telegu thriller "Kshanam," Catch News reported. If everything works out, Shahid will be seen playing an NRI, who returns to India looking for his ex-girlfriend's daughter. The regional version had Adivi Sesh, Anasuya Bharadwaj and Adah Sharma in the lead.

Last year, there were reports of Shahid starring in "Magadheera" remake but the said project has now been shelved.

Meanwhile, the star is hard at work prepping for his role as an army officer in Vishal's romance-drama. He has been hitting the gym regularly and has a strict regimen to follow.

"Shahid is exercising rigorously. His trainer has given him a very different regimen. He has been doing workouts that army officers usually do to build strength and for muscle endurance. They include long runs, rope climbing, squats, deadlifts, push-ups and pull-ups," a source told the Hindustan Times.

Set in the World War II era, the "Casablanca"-esque love story isn't only making news for one of its lead actors' look, it's also the intimate scenes that, reports say, they would be sharing. A source told Absolute India News that even though there was a buzz that Shahid wouldn't kiss onscreen post-marriage, he does have smooches with co-star Kangana Ranaut.

Scheduled for a Sept. 30 release, the film also features Saif Ali Khan in a key role.