Did Salman bring Asin and Zarine in 'Housefull 2'?

Leading ladies for 'Housefull 2' have been finalised and read as Asin Thottumkal, Jacqueline Fernandes and Zarine Khan. However ever since these names were announced, there have been rumours making the rounds that it is Salman Khan's close proximity with 'Housefull 2' producer Sajid Nadiadwala that resulted in Asin and Zarine being roped in for this Sajid Khan directed film.

"Salman has worked with both Asin (London Dreams) and Zarine (Veer). Since none of these films did well, Salman does feel responsbile for his leading ladies as well. Ever since then it is being whispered in hush-hush tone that Salman is recommending both Asin and Zarine to his close friends and associates", says an industry insider, "Since Salman and Sajid Nadiadwala are thick friends, it is open to anyone's speculations that how 'Housefull 2' cast was put together."

Jacqueline Fernandes though was a straight forward entry into 'Housefull 2' cast since she had done an item number 'Dhanno' (based on 'Apni To Jaise Taise') in 'Housefull'. While none of three leading ladies from 'Housefull' (Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Jiah Khan) find themselves in the sequel, Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh are carrying the sequel further with John Abraham and Rahul Khanna joining in.

As for Asin and Zarine, Sajid Nadiadwala is denying that Salman had anything to do with the film's final cast. He says, "How can you say that? From where do you hear such theories? Can you ask those who are spreading these rumours to check facts with me first? The cast has been entirely put together by Sajid (Khan) and myself; there is no external influence."

Opening up about his leading ladies, Sajid says, "I had really liked Asin in 'Ghajini' and it had come even before 'London Dreams'. As for Zarine, I knew her even before she came in films. We are family friends and her and my parents are quite close to each other. Jacqueline was an automatic choice because she was quite professional in 'Housefull'. It was a big platform for her to dance with three big stars (Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Riteish Deshmukh) and was quite confident there. She deserved to be roped in a bigger role and was pronto finalised for 'Housefull 2'."

Well, that should set the records straight.