Actor-producer John Abraham, who will be next seen opposite Nargis Fakhri in Shoojit Sircar’s  political thriller Madras Cafe, recently revealed that Fakhri was not the original choice for the lead role.

John revealed that they had approached Freida Pinto to play the part of an international journalist, but as she was busy with a international projects like Woody Allen's You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, Rise of the Planet of the Apes opposite James Franco and Trishna. Pinto turned down the offer despite the fact that she loved the script a lot.

Madras Cafe, which is set against the backdrop of the LTTE issue, will be hitting the silver screens on August 23.