MUMBAI: Deepika Padukone has been having a great 2013. She’s had two films in the Rs 100 Crore Club with ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ and ‘Chennai Express’, but the girl is already planning for 2014.

Deepika Padukone is being eyed by Tarun Mansukhani for the sequel to his ‘Dostana’. While John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan will return for the sequel, Deepika is being looked upon to take up Priyanka Chopra’s post of the lead heroine.

But ‘Dostana 2’ has been going through a lot of issues. Karan Johar approved a draft early this year and the crew was looking for an October start to the shoot but a source says that the October start may be in question now.

“Tarun has been tirelessly working on the script of the sequel for quite some time now. However, Karan is a difficult man to please. Although, he had finally okayed a draft early this year, it seems now he is not too convinced about it anymore and wants Tarun to rework on it,” the source said.

Because of this, Deepika Padukone is yet not sure about doing the role in ‘Dostana 2’. The source adds, “Deepika is ready to do the film but only if it starts around October. By January, she will begin shooting for Imtiaz Ali’s next, in which she stars opposite Ranbir Kapoor. If the first schedule of ‘Dostana 2’ gets delayed, she might have to let go of this project, as she can’t push Imtiaz’s dates. Those are matched with Ranbir’s, who also has a choc-a-block shooting calendar.”

So unless Tarun Mansukhani gets things in motion, it looks like John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan may miss out on romancing Deepika Padukone in the sequel. In that case, will we see Katrina Kaif lined up for the role. By now it is common knowledge that, initially, either Katrina or Deepika were being eyed for the role. Deepika Padukone won this particular race, but it looks like Katrina Kaif may have a second chance at this.