Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai has walked out of Capitol Films' Indian epic The Rising after a dispute with producer Bobby Bedi over pay.

The former Miss World, who recently wrapped Pathe's Bride And Prejudice, reportedly exited after Bedi rejected a revised set of terms from her US agent. She will apparently be replaced by actress Amisha Patel.

Along with Bride And Prejudice, The Rising was part of Rai's bid to break into Western filmmaking, as well as one of several Western-Bollywood productions aiming to appeal to both Eastern and Western markets.

The Premiere Fund for mainstream projects at support body the UK Film Council is considering investing £968,750 in National Lottery cash for the production through Bedi's Kaleidoscope UK.

Set against the 1857 Indian mutiny, the story of the friendship between an Indian soldier and British commander William Gordon featured Bollywood megastars alongside UK actors. The film, the set of which was recently visited by Prince Charles on his tour of India, is roughly 50-50 English and Hindi language.

Capitol referred calls to Bedi, who was not available at press time.