Monday Aug 03 2009, Bangalore

Ashish Vidyarthi replaces Prakash Raj

Prakash Raj has been replaced by Ashish Vidyarthi in 'Porki', the Kannada version of 'Pokiri'. The Kannada actor, who had essayed the role of the main villain in the Telugu original and its Tamil version to great appreciation, has backed out of the Kannada remake as his dates clashed with that of the projects, say unconfirmed reports.

In Salman Khan's 'Wanted - Dead or Alive', the remake of 'Pokiri' in Hindi, he reprises the role he played in the original, say rumourmills.

In Kannada, Darshan plays the hero. Prakash Raj, who played don Ali Bhai, is being replaced by Ashish Vidyarthi.

Vidyarthi had acted in the role of a corrupt inspector in the original 'Pokiri'; Shobraj will do his role.