Shruti Haasan, who was roped in to play the titular role in the upcoming high-budget period drama ‘Sangamithra’, has shockingly been dropped from the project.

The makers announced this shocking development on Monday but didn’t provide clear reason behind dropping their film’s leading lady especially after she had accompanied the unit to the Cannes Film Festival a few days ago. Even the first look featuring Shruti Haasan as the warrior princess Sangamithra was released at Cannes.

“Due to unavoidable circumstances, we are unable to proceed working with Shruti Haasan in Sangamithra,” Sri Thenandal Films, the producers of Sangamithra, announced on social media.

There is no clarity on what might have forced the filmmakers to replace Shruti since she had been attached to this project for over three months. She has also been undergoing training in martial arts as she was preparing to play a warrior queen in Sangamithra. Shruti is yet to respond to this harrowing development.

Also starring Arya and Jayam Ravi, Sangamithra will reportedly be produced on a budget of Rs 450 crore. Tamil director Sundar C, who has never dealt a high budget film in his career, is on board to direct this epic film set in the 8th century AD. Now, fresh doubts are arising over the materialization of this project.

Official statement from Shruti’s spokesperson : “Shruti has had to unfortunately take a call not to be part of Sangamithra. Knowing it was a massive undertaking and a long commitment spanning over 2 years, she knew the importance of her training, a comprehensive script and proper date calendar. She hired and started training with one of best combat trainers April onwards to make sure she was ready in time for shoot. Despite her enthusiasm and commitment to Sangamithra, she has had to give the film a miss since she had not received a proper bound script nor a proper date calendar. She is currently caught up with promoting her Hindi film Behen Hogi Teri, prep for Sabash Naidu and her musical associations”