Has Radha's daughter, Tulasi, replaced Samantha in Mani Ratnam's Kadhal?  Yes, if the Chennai industry grapevine is to be believed.  There is some romantic aspect to this last minute replacement.  The film stars Karthik's son Gautham in the lead role.  Karthik's first film also featured Radha as the main female lead.  Decades later, Karthik's son's debut is with Tulasi, for whom also Kadhal is a debut!

The makers are yet to officially confirm this news to the world.  Some scenes have also been shot on Gautham and Samantha.  There are several rumors that are doing the rounds that the actress walked out of the project due to several other offers, a date clash between her and cinematographer Rajeev Menon and that the actress was recently suffering a skin allergy due to shoot in the water!

Whatever, it is quite a tough call for even an actress of Samantha's stature to have foregone a Mani Ratnam film, whether it was inevitable or out of personal volition.

Samantha's disadvantage has become Tulasi's advantage.  Tulasi must be thanking her stars!