Priyadarshan is apparently not happy with Mallika Sherawat's item number in his upcoming film. Sources say he wants to remove it completely

Ever since Mallika Sherawat replaced Sameera Reddy in an item song in the latter's forthcoming film, the issue has made headlines.

The latest development is that director Priyadarshan is so unhappy with it that he plans to edit it out completely. However, producer Ratan Jain wants to go ahead with it.

The grapevines were abuzz last year after Mallika was roped in to perform on the track. Consequently, it is believed that Sameera, who was also asked to feature in the song, declined to shoot for it. In fact, in the beginning, the producer had told the cast and crew that Jiah Khan would be doing the item song.

"However, we later learnt that Mallika was doing it, without any clue as to why Jiah was not a part of it any more, " reveals our source, asserting that it was the sexy Sherawat who insisted on doing the item song.

"Mallika and Ratanji had an understanding that she would charge a very nominal fee for it and publicise it to the maximum, " explained our informer.

As our source reveals, "Mallika insisted to Ratanji that she should be cast in the song. She even told him that since they had already done a couple of films together, she would be keeping their equation in mind, and wouldn't haggle for money. " Our informer further adds that Mallika charged her producer pal a fee of about Rs 11 lakh for the song.

Our source reiterates that Priyadarshan, who wasn't around when the song was picturised on Mallika, was not at all impressed with the result.

Ratan Jain denied the story, adding that the reason why Priyan wasn't around during the shoot of this song was because he was working on another film. "However, everything happened with his knowledge.

He recommended the director of photography and even the choreographer. One can't do anything without the director's awareness. "

While Jain refused to divulge the exact amount paid to Mallika, he denied ever having thought of casting Jiah for the song. Priyadarshan remained unavailable for comments.