Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh
Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer SinghVarinder Chawla

Zoya Akhtar's next has gained traction over the last few weeks. All this while it was being said that the film would star Ranveer Singh, with either Ranbir Kapoor or Varun Dhawan in tow, but fresh reports state that they have both turned down the offer.

While Ranbir isn't interested in playing "second fiddle" to Ranveer, Varun has bowed out of the project owing to unavailability of dates, SpotboyE reported. Varun has "Dishoom" lined up for release, after which he takes up "Judwaa 2."

The story of Zoya's film apparently follows the story of two brothers and their "contemporary" relationship, Catch News reported. A source told the web portal that an ensemble cast and an A-list actress will also be part of it.

Going by what has been reported so far, the "A-list" actress in question could be Alia Bhatt. But the young star has given a chunk from her date calendar to Gauri Shinde's film.

"Zoya and Alia get along really well. It's a matter of accommodating the film, which Alia should be able to manage given her admiration for Zoya as a filmmaker which she has often been vocal about," a friend of Alia's told SpotboyE last month.

Rumours of Ranveer and Ranbir teaming up for Zoya's film first emerged last month when the actors were spotted visiting the director's residence.

In other news, Ranveer has remained tight-lipped about his upcoming projects and has stressed on the fact that the only film he is working on right now is Aditya Chopra's "Befikre." But an insider told Catch News that the "Bajirao Mastani" actor has is eager to work with Zoya and has already signed the film.