Shuddhi has a release date, cast to follow, tweets Karan Johar

It was meant to be the screen reunion of Kareena Kapoor an Hrithik Roshan 10 years after films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Yaadein and Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon. However, after both Kareena and Hrithik exited and Deepika was maybe-maybe not signing up for the role, Bollywood pundits got busy laying Shuddhi's ghost to rest.

But don't write this filmy obituary just yet. Producer Karan Johar has pre-empted further dismissals by announcing that he has a release date, if not yet a cast.

The Dharma Productions chief tweeted on February 15: SHUDDHI will release on Friday the 25th of December,2015...the Lead cast will be announced shortly.

Earlier this month, Hrithik Roshan announced his departure in this statement: "Karan Malhotra and I have decided to unite in the most ambitious way post Shuddhi. For now, I cannot allow a vision like Shuddhi to stagnate any further. " Karan Malhotra, director of Shuddhi, previously directed Hrithik in 2012 blockbuster Agneepath.

Kareena Kapoor prevaricated with: "I will decide whether to do it. It will depend on my mood at that time. As of now I don't know what is happening regarding that film (Shuddhi) as since one and half years it is being postponed."