By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, Dec 24 (IANS): "B.A. Pass" director Ajay Bahl, who is ready to roll his next film, an adaptation of Akimitsu Takagi's Japanese novel "The Informer" has decided to cast Abhay Deol as one of the leads in the thriller.

Abhay may be seen as one of the protagonists along with the Sikkimese model-turned-actress Geetanjali Thapa.

Bahl says he owes Geetanjali one project.

"After I opted out of the Bhatts' project 'City Lights', Geetanjali also opted out. She didn't have to do that. In fact, from what I know of the equations in the entertainment industry, no one turns away from a project for the sake of showing solidarity."

"Geetanjali left the Bhatts' project after I did. I owe her a role in the film that I am doing now," he added.

Actress Shilpa Shukla, who gave a sterling performance in Bahl's "B.A. Pass", is also back in "The Informer".

"What Shilpa brought to 'B.A. Pass' was incredible. I wanted to cast her in my second film, but when I started work on 'City Lights' for the Bhatts, we needed a protagonist who was 26 years old. I couldn't sign her for 'City Lights'."

"Now I can work with Shilpa in 'The Informer'. I have just the role for her," he said.