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Recently there were reports that Krrish 4 would be directed by filmmaker Sanjay Gupta and not Rakesh Roshan who has directed the other three parts of the franchise. This put Bollywood in a flutter trying to find the correct answer in the guessing game.
However, Rakesh Roshan tells us laughingly, “Even I am reading the same rumours as you and I don’t know who is writing it. Of course, I will direct it. Sanjay Gupta is with me writing the script with me and with me all the time. We both discuss things as our thoughts are very similar and we are working together in this. Even Sanjay is a very fine director, did a very good job with Kaabil and I am very proud of him. Right now, he is busy with his Mumbai Saga shoot.”
When I tell him, we are waiting for the Krrish 4 announcement to happen, he says, “I will only announce it once I am sure about the script. When I am 100 per cent sure about the script, I will make the announcement as a director. The day I decide to make it, it will take me one more year to start the film. Being a big film in terms of vision and VFX, the preproduction will take a lot of time. Mine is the only franchise which is going from story to story. It’s not just the names I am using to make into another film. While Hollywood can afford budgets, we can score on emotions. Three breath-taking emotional action scenes will score over 10 mindless action sequences.”
Roshan Sr says he is completely involved in the production of all his movies. “Not even a needle can pass in front of me without catching my eye. I am passionate about my work and I want to see that the money I am spending is what I am seeing on screen and not seen outside. I hate wasting money. The movie has to be so well-planned that not even a paise should be wasted. A 7 am shift means you have to be on location at 6.30 so the shot can be taken. That was the first condition I would out to any actor before I signed him. If the unit and hundreds of technicians can come, why cannot one actor come on time? When I can be there why cannot the actors be there?
The lion-hearted filmmaker, who is always cool and calm, and a tower of strength for his family, is recovering from early stage squamous cell carcinoma (throat cancer). He had to undergo a surgery in January at the Hurkisondas Hospital. “Hrithik and I were working out in the gym till the day I went into surgery. He posted a pic of us on social media in the morning on January 7, drove me to the Hurkisondas Hospital in Mumbai at 3 pm and got me admitted for my surgery. The surgery took five hours, carried out by Dr Vijay V Haribhakti and Dr Jatin Shah, who was with him. But I recovered very fast. One hour after my surgery when I gained consciousness, the doctors were shocked to see me walk. In two days, they let me go home and went to office the next day. Since then, I never stopped attending office. I would take chemo or radiation treatment and come to the office.”
The chemotherapy was a strong one which could have made a strong man weak but not Rakesh Roshan. “They gave me an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug to take it in three cycles, every three weeks. The doctors thought that if I pass through the second one, it is more than enough. The third cycle was extremely strong and weakened people completely. They were surprised that I completed all three cycles with very little discomfort. I don’t know how I managed – maybe because I used to work out or I am mentally strong I managed. Even my radiation strength was more, 67, when usually it is 60. God has been kind and I have recovered, almost about 90 per cent now. I have started working out from last couple of months, not very heavy but at least five days a week.”
Rakesh Roshan says that while the Cancer word is not easy to accept, he decided to tackle it in a positive way. “Yes, there were days when I would get disturbed sometimes because the chemos and treatments give you mood swings… I used to get bit angry and irritated sometimes, which I usually don’t get, but then I thought that this is a part of the process of recovery and is going to happen. When I would angry, I tell myself that this is not me, but is the medicine which is doing that, and it is a part of the treatment process. The journey taught me that anything can happen at any moment in life, without expecting it so live happily and be happy with whatever you have. Illness is one thing where nobody can help you. You have to help yourself only and though, you have your entire family with you as your support system, yet you are still alone. They are not suffering but only helping you heal.”
Rakesh Roshan breathes in and says reflectively, “There was a moment in my life when I thought what is money? Nothing is of use. We cannot take anything with us so let’s enjoy and live every moment. You can’t rejoice in your success or get demoralized by your failure. Life has its ups and downs and we have to live with it. I would like to say that the word cancer sounds very horrifying and scary but it’s not. It can be treated. Everything can be treated today, if you take care of your health. One should not get depressed or scared when he or she has got this disease.”
Also Read: Krrish 4: Rakesh Roshan begins work on the fourth installment starring Hrithik Roshan
While there has been speculation about some scenes of Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi being re-shot now in Hyderabad, we have also come to hear that some new characters have been added to the script, after the first schedule. The cop action-drama stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Gulshan Grover, Sikandar Kher and Niharica Raizada among others. Sooryavanshi, which is one of the most anticipated action-drama cop dramas of 2020, is slated for release on March 27.
Says a trade source, “There has been buzz that some re-shooting is happening in Hyderabad on the movie, apart from the climax, which was shot on Ranveer, Akshay and Ajay, and they have been shooting for the last few days. Katrina was also there as part of some scenes but whether they were new scenes or re-shot one’s is not clear. Apparently, the makers (including writer Farhad Samji) are changing some of the tracks and have added the characters of Akshay’s father and mother, which was not there in the original. Akshay plays a stylised cop, ATS Chief Veer Sooryavanshi, who deals with terrorism and Neena Gupta and another actor has been finalised to play his parents. Buzz is, the characters were added to give emotional layers to the movie and was a recent decision.”
The source adds that apparently, Neena Gupta will wear prosthetics to get the look of an elderly lady and as Akshay’s mother, as she’s shooting for Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan too and has to remain in continuity. “She is a very dedicated artist and went through the process of life casting which takes a mould of her face and neck, for sculpting the prosthetic, in the first week of October. It’s a powerful role which apparently, was pencilled in recently in the script as was the role of Veer Sooryavanshi’s father.”
The actor who is playing his father is under wraps which they will announce according to their marketing strategy. There’s talk that Anupam Kher is playing Akshay’s father. In May this year, Akshay posted a candid pic on Twitter with Anupam Kher and Gulshan Grover. He captioned it saying, “I started my career with these two and it's amazing to still be working with them. We've laughed, punched each other, grown up and grown together. Beautiful people who I call friends.’ The source says, “Akshay has shot many movies with Anupam and his wife Kirron and is very close to the family. If Neena and Anupam play Akshay’s parents in Sooryavanshi, it will be a casting coup as the two award-winning actors have acted in Rakesh Bedi’s much-acclaimed, super hit play –Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha.”
There were rumours that some scenes of Sooryavanshi were being re-shot and Akshay had cancelled some of his Laxmmi Bomb dates, re-schedule them again for the Sooryavanshi shoot with Katrina in Hyderabad but the source dismisses those rumours. “Rohit is a very organised director and clear about what he wants. His shoots wind up earlier than scheduled, he has a very efficient and supportive team of technicians, and his action plan is safe and meticulous, so it seems highly unlikely that he would need to re-shoot scenes. One can always add characters to move the story forward and add emotional depths to it. Re-shooting is expensive, and a producer’s nightmare and it can never happen in a Rohit Shetty movie. He has always been a producer’s darling – he is not known as a Hit Machine for nothing.”
Also Read: Ranveer Singh gets his BEAST mode on for his cameo in Sooryavanshi!
While there has been speculation about some scenes of Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi being re-shot now in Hyderabad, we have also come to hear that some new characters have been added to the script, after the first schedule. The cop action-drama stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Gulshan Grover, Sikandar Kher and Niharica Raizada among others. Sooryavanshi, which is one of the most anticipated action-drama cop dramas of 2020, is slated for release on March 27.
Says a trade source, “There has been buzz that some re-shooting is happening in Hyderabad on the movie, apart from the climax, which was shot on Ranveer, Akshay and Ajay, and they have been shooting for the last few days. Katrina was also there as part of some scenes but whether they were new scenes or re-shot one’s is not clear. Apparently, the makers (including writer Farhad Samji) are changing some of the tracks and have added the characters of Akshay’s father and mother, which was not there in the original. Akshay plays a stylised cop, ATS Chief Veer Sooryavanshi, who deals with terrorism and Neena Gupta and another actor has been finalised to play his parents. Buzz is, the characters were added to give emotional layers to the movie and was a recent decision.”
The source adds that apparently, Neena Gupta will wear prosthetics to get the look of an elderly lady and as Akshay’s mother, as she’s shooting for Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan too and has to remain in continuity. “She is a very dedicated artist and went through the process of life casting which takes a mould of her face and neck, for sculpting the prosthetic, in the first week of October. It’s a powerful role which apparently, was pencilled in recently in the script as was the role of Veer Sooryavanshi’s father.”
The actor who is playing his father is under wraps which they will announce according to their marketing strategy. There’s talk that Anupam Kher is playing Akshay’s father. In May this year, Akshay posted a candid pic on Twitter with Anupam Kher and Gulshan Grover. He captioned it saying, “I started my career with these two and it's amazing to still be working with them. We've laughed, punched each other, grown up and grown together. Beautiful people who I call friends.’ The source says, “Akshay has shot many movies with Anupam and his wife Kirron and is very close to the family. If Neena and Anupam play Akshay’s parents in Sooryavanshi, it will be a casting coup as the two award-winning actors have acted in Rakesh Bedi’s much-acclaimed, super hit play –Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha.”
There were rumours that some scenes of Sooryavanshi were being re-shot and Akshay had cancelled some of his Laxmmi Bomb dates, re-schedule them again for the Sooryavanshi shoot with Katrina in Hyderabad but the source dismisses those rumours. “Rohit is a very organised director and clear about what he wants. His shoots wind up earlier than scheduled, he has a very efficient and supportive team of technicians, and his action plan is safe and meticulous, so it seems highly unlikely that he would need to re-shoot scenes. One can always add characters to move the story forward and add emotional depths to it. Re-shooting is expensive, and a producer’s nightmare and it can never happen in a Rohit Shetty movie. He has always been a producer’s darling – he is not known as a Hit Machine for nothing.”
Also Read: Ranveer Singh gets his BEAST mode on for his cameo in Sooryavanshi!
While there has been speculation about some scenes of Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi being re-shot now in Hyderabad, we have also come to hear that some new characters have been added to the script, after the first schedule. The cop action-drama stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Gulshan Grover, Sikandar Kher and Niharica Raizada among others. Sooryavanshi, which is one of the most anticipated action-drama cop dramas of 2020, is slated for release on March 27.
Says a trade source, “There has been buzz that some re-shooting is happening in Hyderabad on the movie, apart from the climax, which was shot on Ranveer, Akshay and Ajay, and they have been shooting for the last few days. Katrina was also there as part of some scenes but whether they were new scenes or re-shot one’s is not clear. Apparently, the makers (including writer Farhad Samji) are changing some of the tracks and have added the characters of Akshay’s father and mother, which was not there in the original. Akshay plays a stylised cop, ATS Chief Veer Sooryavanshi, who deals with terrorism and Neena Gupta and another actor has been finalised to play his parents. Buzz is, the characters were added to give emotional layers to the movie and was a recent decision.”
The source adds that apparently, Neena Gupta will wear prosthetics to get the look of an elderly lady and as Akshay’s mother, as she’s shooting for Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan too and has to remain in continuity. “She is a very dedicated artist and went through the process of life casting which takes a mould of her face and neck, for sculpting the prosthetic, in the first week of October. It’s a powerful role which apparently, was pencilled in recently in the script as was the role of Veer Sooryavanshi’s father.”
The actor who is playing his father is under wraps which they will announce according to their marketing strategy. There’s talk that Anupam Kher is playing Akshay’s father. In May this year, Akshay posted a candid pic on Twitter with Anupam Kher and Gulshan Grover. He captioned it saying, “I started my career with these two and it's amazing to still be working with them. We've laughed, punched each other, grown up and grown together. Beautiful people who I call friends.’ The source says, “Akshay has shot many movies with Anupam and his wife Kirron and is very close to the family. If Neena and Anupam play Akshay’s parents in Sooryavanshi, it will be a casting coup as the two award-winning actors have acted in Rakesh Bedi’s much-acclaimed, super hit play –Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha.”
There were rumours that some scenes of Sooryavanshi were being re-shot and Akshay had cancelled some of his Laxmmi Bomb dates, re-schedule them again for the Sooryavanshi shoot with Katrina in Hyderabad but the source dismisses those rumours. “Rohit is a very organised director and clear about what he wants. His shoots wind up earlier than scheduled, he has a very efficient and supportive team of technicians, and his action plan is safe and meticulous, so it seems highly unlikely that he would need to re-shoot scenes. One can always add characters to move the story forward and add emotional depths to it. Re-shooting is expensive, and a producer’s nightmare and it can never happen in a Rohit Shetty movie. He has always been a producer’s darling – he is not known as a Hit Machine for nothing.”
Also Read: Ranveer Singh gets his BEAST mode on for his cameo in Sooryavanshi!
Apparently, Luv Ranjan’s untitled action-drama-thriller, starring Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, may have to be on hold further. While there have been reports of the film being shelved, none of the actors, nor the director himself, has officially denied them. But sources close to the movie have said they are untrue. We have now heard that while the movie will begin shoot with Ranbir from March 2020, Ajay himself may not be a part of the movie.
Says a trade source, “An official announcement of Luv’s next is yet to come after it was announced (with Ajay and Ranbir heading the cast) last year in May. It is yet to take off as it has been in the scripting stages for over a year and Ajay cannot hold onto his dates anymore. Luv’s movie was said to roll by the end of the year but has apparently been delayed again. He may start shoot with Ranbir (after he completes the shoots for Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra and Karan Malhotra’s Shamshera) by March next year. Buzz is that apart from date issues, Ajay is not happy with the script and has opted out of Luv’s movie. The superstar is more excited about Neeraj Pandey’s modern-day, socio-political drama, which Neeraj recently narrated to him. Ajay plays a shrewd political strategist and global jetsetter, someone who is known as a modern-day Chanakya in it and loved the script. While in Luv’s action-drama-thriller based in the heartlands of India, apparently, Ranbir plays the main protagonist and Ajay an older man.”
According to the source, the story is said to revolve around the relationship between the older man’s second wife and his son-turned-foe. “Naturally, Deepika and Ranbir will play the main lead – and Ajay may play something like Pankaj Kapoor’s character in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool. While it’s an interesting and challenging role (one which had earned Pankaj many accolades), and has lots of stylized action, it’s not the central character like Neeraj’s movie would have Ajay playing. The movie will provide deep insights into the art of running a country and has the star playing an extremely challenging role with multiple shades. The project is being kept under wraps till the shooting starts from December this year in Dubai and will be a marathon schedule. The Chanakya team wants to release the film by early next year and Ajay has said in an interview that Chanakya will be made in two parts so Ajay’s dates will be blocked for the months that Luv plans to shoot his movie.”
The source adds that reports of Luv’s movie being shelved due to script issues have been there for some time but Ajay had denied it earlier this year, saying it would go on floors in 2020. “Luv Ranjan’s film was originally scheduled to begin in 2018, was pushed to April 2019 and now, it has been pushed to mid-2020, going by reports in media, as the final draft is being finalised. The untitled big budget entertainer will have some high-octane stunts and will be shot in India and abroad. Ajay has a hectic schedule this year and in 2020, which includes completing the shoot of Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Dudhaiya’s Bhuj: The Pride Of India, Om Raut’s Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and an exciting extended cameo in S Rajamouli's RRR which stars Jr NTR and Ram Charan in the lead roles. It now remains to be seen whether Ajay has chosen Chanakya over Luv’s movie but definitely, his role in Chanakya is one any actor would be thrilled to have in his repertoire!”
Apparently, Luv Ranjan’s untitled action-drama-thriller, starring Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, may have to be on hold further. While there have been reports of the film being shelved, none of the actors, nor the director himself, has officially denied them. But sources close to the movie have said they are untrue. We have now heard that while the movie will begin shoot with Ranbir from March 2020, Ajay himself may not be a part of the movie.
Says a trade source, “An official announcement of Luv’s next is yet to come after it was announced (with Ajay and Ranbir heading the cast) last year in May. It is yet to take off as it has been in the scripting stages for over a year and Ajay cannot hold onto his dates anymore. Luv’s movie was said to roll by the end of the year but has apparently been delayed again. He may start shoot with Ranbir (after he completes the shoots for Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra and Karan Malhotra’s Shamshera) by March next year. Buzz is that apart from date issues, Ajay is not happy with the script and has opted out of Luv’s movie. The superstar is more excited about Neeraj Pandey’s modern-day, socio-political drama, which Neeraj recently narrated to him. Ajay plays a shrewd political strategist and global jetsetter, someone who is known as a modern-day Chanakya in it and loved the script. While in Luv’s action-drama-thriller based in the heartlands of India, apparently, Ranbir plays the main protagonist and Ajay an older man.”
According to the source, the story is said to revolve around the relationship between the older man’s second wife and his son-turned-foe. “Naturally, Deepika and Ranbir will play the main lead – and Ajay may play something like Pankaj Kapoor’s character in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool. While it’s an interesting and challenging role (one which had earned Pankaj many accolades), and has lots of stylized action, it’s not the central character like Neeraj’s movie would have Ajay playing. The movie will provide deep insights into the art of running a country and has the star playing an extremely challenging role with multiple shades. The project is being kept under wraps till the shooting starts from December this year in Dubai and will be a marathon schedule. The Chanakya team wants to release the film by early next year and Ajay has said in an interview that Chanakya will be made in two parts so Ajay’s dates will be blocked for the months that Luv plans to shoot his movie.”
The source adds that reports of Luv’s movie being shelved due to script issues have been there for some time but Ajay had denied it earlier this year, saying it would go on floors in 2020. “Luv Ranjan’s film was originally scheduled to begin in 2018, was pushed to April 2019 and now, it has been pushed to mid-2020, going by reports in media, as the final draft is being finalised. The untitled big budget entertainer will have some high-octane stunts and will be shot in India and abroad. Ajay has a hectic schedule this year and in 2020, which includes completing the shoot of Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Dudhaiya’s Bhuj: The Pride Of India, Om Raut’s Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and an exciting extended cameo in S Rajamouli's RRR which stars Jr NTR and Ram Charan in the lead roles. It now remains to be seen whether Ajay has chosen Chanakya over Luv’s movie but definitely, his role in Chanakya is one any actor would be thrilled to have in his repertoire!”
Probably the biggest speculation today is the announcement of Salman Khan’s next movie on Eid 2020 and the last few week has been fuelled with the superstar’s denying that his movie was called Radhe. We can tell you now that Radhe was all but finalised (including the script) till just a week ago but things apparently, fell apart and that movie is not happening now.
Bollywood Hungama was the first to tell you that the Salman Khan was reuniting with his Bharat producers, Atul Agnihotri and Nikhil Namit for a hard-core masala entertainer – the exception being that it would also be produced by Salman Khan Productions. There were also reports that the movie was titled Radhe but while admitting that his Eid 2020 release would be directed by his Dabangg 3 director, Prabhu Dheva, he had denied that the movie was called Radhe.
Says a trade source, “Recently, when asked about a movie called Radhe, releasing on Eid, Salman had denied it, adding that Prabhu Dheva would direct it. But buzz is that Radhe was almost happening but for various reasons didn’t. After Inshallah got postponed indefinitely, Salman was searching for a script. He got two – one a Korean remake and the other a masala entertainer. One thing was certain – whichever was finalised, the film would be directed by Prabhu Dheva. Salman is extremely impressed with the director’s work in Dabangg 3, his massy connect and the fact that everything is on schedule. The massy entertainer was finalised and titled Radhe because in both his movies (Tere Naam and Wanted) where he is called Radhe, they have turned out to be blockbusters.”
The source adds that even the poster for Radhe had been designed and kept ready. “Atul Agnihotri, Nikhil Namit and Salman were ready with the announcement but something happened last week and the project fall apart. While the buzz is that they discovered just before the announcement that the story was similar to another movie and the title is with someone else – only a few (including Salman) know what the truth is. The story was based in the heartlands of North India and the final draft (with Salman’s inputs) was complete with rumours of the star playing a double role. Salman had planned to announce the movie, after he began shooting for it.”
Now the hunt for a fresh script is on again. The source adds, “Salman won’t leave Eid 2020. His fans expect it and it’s a box-office bonanza for everybody around. No other star except Salman enjoys that kind of BO success on Eid so it’s natural that his release comes on that day. This project is very important to Salman and he is taking keen interest himself in every department. There is another script that they are looking at. The movie will definitely be a musical entertainer with great action and a love story for both the multiplex audience and single-screens like the Dabangg franchise.”
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Salman Khan starrer Radhe to release on Eid 2020; EXCITING details inside!
Probably the biggest speculation today is the announcement of Salman Khan’s next movie on Eid 2020 and the last few week has been fuelled with the superstar’s denying that his movie was called Radhe. We can tell you now that Radhe was all but finalised (including the script) till just a week ago but things apparently, fell apart and that movie is not happening now.
Bollywood Hungama was the first to tell you that the Salman Khan was reuniting with his Bharat producers, Atul Agnihotri and Nikhil Namit for a hard-core masala entertainer – the exception being that it would also be produced by Salman Khan Productions. There were also reports that the movie was titled Radhe but while admitting that his Eid 2020 release would be directed by his Dabangg 3 director, Prabhu Dheva, he had denied that the movie was called Radhe.
Says a trade source, “Recently, when asked about a movie called Radhe, releasing on Eid, Salman had denied it, adding that Prabhu Dheva would direct it. But buzz is that Radhe was almost happening but for various reasons didn’t. After Inshallah got postponed indefinitely, Salman was searching for a script. He got two – one a Korean remake and the other a masala entertainer. One thing was certain – whichever was finalised, the film would be directed by Prabhu Dheva. Salman is extremely impressed with the director’s work in Dabangg 3, his massy connect and the fact that everything is on schedule. The massy entertainer was finalised and titled Radhe because in both his movies (Tere Naam and Wanted) where he is called Radhe, they have turned out to be blockbusters.”
The source adds that even the poster for Radhe had been designed and kept ready. “Atul Agnihotri, Nikhil Namit and Salman were ready with the announcement but something happened last week and the project fall apart. While the buzz is that they discovered just before the announcement that the story was similar to another movie and the title is with someone else – only a few (including Salman) know what the truth is. The story was based in the heartlands of North India and the final draft (with Salman’s inputs) was complete with rumours of the star playing a double role. Salman had planned to announce the movie, after he began shooting for it.”
Now the hunt for a fresh script is on again. The source adds, “Salman won’t leave Eid 2020. His fans expect it and it’s a box-office bonanza for everybody around. No other star except Salman enjoys that kind of BO success on Eid so it’s natural that his release comes on that day. This project is very important to Salman and he is taking keen interest himself in every department. There is another script that they are looking at. The movie will definitely be a musical entertainer with great action and a love story for both the multiplex audience and single-screens like the Dabangg franchise.”
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Salman Khan starrer Radhe to release on Eid 2020; EXCITING details inside!
While people have been speculating about Deepika Padukone’s next after Meghna Gulzar’s Chhapaak, we have it on confirmed sources that she has signed Luv Ranjan’s next. The movie stars Ajay Devgn and Ranbir Kapoor and the actress will be paired opposite the younger actor. The story is said to be a heartland drama revolving around the quirky story of a father and son and Ranbir and Ajay get together for their second movie after Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti (2010).
Last year, Luv Ranjan had been accused of sexual harassment by an aspiring actress (anonymous) but he had denied the allegations. He had released a statement on his Twitter handle apologising to whoever he had caused hurt or not made feel comfortable enough. Apparently, Deepika's signing the movie is kept under wraps for the moment as the makers want to make an announcement at the right time.
Says a trade source, “Deepika is doing Luv Ranjan’s untitled next but everybody wants to keep it under wraps till the whole noise about Me Too dies down completely. Deepika had signed the movie much earlier this year and had started discussions regarding the script with Luv. In July, she and Ranbir were even spotted coming out of the filmmaker’s office but Deepika’s fans took offence to that and #NotMyDeepika started trending online. Many felt on social media that given her strong stance against sexual harassment she shouldn’t do the movie and ask her to rethink her choice. In a magazine interview, Deepika had denied that she would be willing to work with a person, accused of sexual misconduct. Her fans were appeased by that but now that she has signed the film it will be interesting to see their reactions.”
The source adds that Deepika, Ranbir and Luv have quietly been working on the movie after the fan protests. “Apparently, they meet at Luv’s home and office but make sure the media doesn’t get a whiff of it. It’s a very different kind of role for Deepika and a well-scripted romance. The actress had loved the script and given her nod months ago. Also, she and Ranbir share great on-screen chemistry and with Luv’s it will be their fourth movie together after Bachna Ae Haseena, Yeh Jawaani Hai Diwani and Tamasha. Once the prep and workshops are done, they will make the announcement at the right time. Me Too is a sensitive subject and the makers and the actors don't want to hurt anybody's feelings. Ranbir is currently shooting for Shamshera and will join in preps soon. The movie will roll next year after Ajay and Ranbir complete their current quota of movies.”
The source adds that while Shraddha Kapoor had never been approached for Luv Ranjan’s next, where Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana was concerned, apparently, both Shraddha and Hrithik Roshan were in talks till Hrithik turned down the movie. “It’s true both hadn’t signed the movie and it was prematurely leaked out that they had signed it. Apparently, Shraddha was keen to play Sita opposite Hrithik’s Ram but when he said no, she too opted out. Hence the flurry of denials (about either star being approached), coming from Nitesh, Shraddha and Hrithik regarding the movie. But for Luv Ranjan’s next it was always Deepika, never Shraddha. The younger actress’s name was tossed around only last week so that again a storm of protests from Deepika’s fans don’t arise again till the makers are ready to make an announcement.”
Also Read: Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor’s film with Luv Ranjan gets leading ladies in Deepika Padukone and Nushrat Bharucha
Aamir Khan’s next, Lal Singh Chaddha, directed by Advait Chandan, and an official adaptation of Tom Hanks, Forrest Gump (1994), begins shoot in Punjab from November 1. Aamir plays a simple-minded yet loveable character from Punjab and has been learning the language for the same. Kareena Kapoor Khan, who plays one of the most challenging roles of her career, will join him in Punjab, a few days after Aamir’s on the shoot, as that’s where their love story begins. A major chunk of this shooting will have scenes from their younger college days, how they met and fell in love and separated.
Says a trade source, “While Aamir and his team have been scouting many locations across India, the first schedule will begin from November 1 in Punjab and shot across cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and nearby towns and villages. Both Aamir and Kareena will be seen in various looks spanning three decades and also in various professions. They meet in school and keep bumping into each other over a span of time. Aamir plays a simple-minded guy who influences important sports, political and cultural events in India through his journey across the country, over a span of three decades. This requires him to be in different locations each time. Apart from Punjab, the star is also expected to shoot in Delhi, Gujarat, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Kareena joins him in the first schedule in Punjab. She plays his best friend from childhood with whom he instantly falls in love and keeps loving her right till the end. The first schedule will see both Kareena and Aamir’s characters in their younger days in school (played by child artistes) where they become friends and then college when they fall in love. Aamir has lost 20 kgs to play the younger version of Laal Singh Chaddha.”
The source says that while Aamir plays a simple-minded guy, Kareena’s character is complex. “She has fought her own battles in life, seen ups and downs, and the more she gets hurt, the more self-destructive she becomes. But she loves Laal Singh. Kareena has not done a multi-layered character before and may even be seen as a hippie – a culture that flourished during the early 1970s. She keeps re-entering Laal Singh's life at various times and they eventually get married. Kareena too will have various getups like Aamir – from college, then according to her bohemian lifestyle and finally in the latter years when she meets Laal Singh during adulthood.”
The script has been written by actor-writer Atul Kulkarni and Laal Singh Chaddha is scheduled for a Christmas 2020 release.
Also Read: Lal Singh Chaddha: Aamir Khan to shoot at 100 different locations starting from November 1, 2019
Recently there were reports that Krrish 4 would be directed by filmmaker Sanjay Gupta and not Rakesh Roshan who has directed the other three parts of the franchise. This put Bollywood in a flutter trying to find the correct answer in the guessing game.
However, Rakesh Roshan tells us laughingly, “Even I am reading the same rumours as you and I don’t know who is writing it. Of course, I will direct it. Sanjay Gupta is with me writing the script with me and with me all the time. We both discuss things as our thoughts are very similar and we are working together in this. Even Sanjay is a very fine director, did a very good job with Kaabil and I am very proud of him. Right now, he is busy with his Mumbai Saga shoot.”
When I tell him, we are waiting for the Krrish 4 announcement to happen, he says, “I will only announce it once I am sure about the script. When I am 100 per cent sure about the script, I will make the announcement as a director. The day I decide to make it, it will take me one more year to start the film. Being a big film in terms of vision and VFX, the preproduction will take a lot of time. Mine is the only franchise which is going from story to story. It’s not just the names I am using to make into another film. While Hollywood can afford budgets, we can score on emotions. Three breath-taking emotional action scenes will score over 10 mindless action sequences.”
Roshan Sr says he is completely involved in the production of all his movies. “Not even a needle can pass in front of me without catching my eye. I am passionate about my work and I want to see that the money I am spending is what I am seeing on screen and not seen outside. I hate wasting money. The movie has to be so well-planned that not even a paise should be wasted. A 7 am shift means you have to be on location at 6.30 so the shot can be taken. That was the first condition I would out to any actor before I signed him. If the unit and hundreds of technicians can come, why cannot one actor come on time? When I can be there why cannot the actors be there?
The lion-hearted filmmaker, who is always cool and calm, and a tower of strength for his family, is recovering from early stage squamous cell carcinoma (throat cancer). He had to undergo a surgery in January at the Hurkisondas Hospital. “Hrithik and I were working out in the gym till the day I went into surgery. He posted a pic of us on social media in the morning on January 7, drove me to the Hurkisondas Hospital in Mumbai at 3 pm and got me admitted for my surgery. The surgery took five hours, carried out by Dr Vijay V Haribhakti and Dr Jatin Shah, who was with him. But I recovered very fast. One hour after my surgery when I gained consciousness, the doctors were shocked to see me walk. In two days, they let me go home and went to office the next day. Since then, I never stopped attending office. I would take chemo or radiation treatment and come to the office.”
The chemotherapy was a strong one which could have made a strong man weak but not Rakesh Roshan. “They gave me an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug to take it in three cycles, every three weeks. The doctors thought that if I pass through the second one, it is more than enough. The third cycle was extremely strong and weakened people completely. They were surprised that I completed all three cycles with very little discomfort. I don’t know how I managed – maybe because I used to work out or I am mentally strong I managed. Even my radiation strength was more, 67, when usually it is 60. God has been kind and I have recovered, almost about 90 per cent now. I have started working out from last couple of months, not very heavy but at least five days a week.”
Rakesh Roshan says that while the Cancer word is not easy to accept, he decided to tackle it in a positive way. “Yes, there were days when I would get disturbed sometimes because the chemos and treatments give you mood swings… I used to get bit angry and irritated sometimes, which I usually don’t get, but then I thought that this is a part of the process of recovery and is going to happen. When I would angry, I tell myself that this is not me, but is the medicine which is doing that, and it is a part of the treatment process. The journey taught me that anything can happen at any moment in life, without expecting it so live happily and be happy with whatever you have. Illness is one thing where nobody can help you. You have to help yourself only and though, you have your entire family with you as your support system, yet you are still alone. They are not suffering but only helping you heal.”
Rakesh Roshan breathes in and says reflectively, “There was a moment in my life when I thought what is money? Nothing is of use. We cannot take anything with us so let’s enjoy and live every moment. You can’t rejoice in your success or get demoralized by your failure. Life has its ups and downs and we have to live with it. I would like to say that the word cancer sounds very horrifying and scary but it’s not. It can be treated. Everything can be treated today, if you take care of your health. One should not get depressed or scared when he or she has got this disease.”
Also Read: Krrish 4: Rakesh Roshan begins work on the fourth installment starring Hrithik Roshan
While there has been speculation about some scenes of Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi being re-shot now in Hyderabad, we have also come to hear that some new characters have been added to the script, after the first schedule. The cop action-drama stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Gulshan Grover, Sikandar Kher and Niharica Raizada among others. Sooryavanshi, which is one of the most anticipated action-drama cop dramas of 2020, is slated for release on March 27.
Says a trade source, “There has been buzz that some re-shooting is happening in Hyderabad on the movie, apart from the climax, which was shot on Ranveer, Akshay and Ajay, and they have been shooting for the last few days. Katrina was also there as part of some scenes but whether they were new scenes or re-shot one’s is not clear. Apparently, the makers (including writer Farhad Samji) are changing some of the tracks and have added the characters of Akshay’s father and mother, which was not there in the original. Akshay plays a stylised cop, ATS Chief Veer Sooryavanshi, who deals with terrorism and Neena Gupta and another actor has been finalised to play his parents. Buzz is, the characters were added to give emotional layers to the movie and was a recent decision.”
The source adds that apparently, Neena Gupta will wear prosthetics to get the look of an elderly lady and as Akshay’s mother, as she’s shooting for Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan too and has to remain in continuity. “She is a very dedicated artist and went through the process of life casting which takes a mould of her face and neck, for sculpting the prosthetic, in the first week of October. It’s a powerful role which apparently, was pencilled in recently in the script as was the role of Veer Sooryavanshi’s father.”
The actor who is playing his father is under wraps which they will announce according to their marketing strategy. There’s talk that Anupam Kher is playing Akshay’s father. In May this year, Akshay posted a candid pic on Twitter with Anupam Kher and Gulshan Grover. He captioned it saying, “I started my career with these two and it's amazing to still be working with them. We've laughed, punched each other, grown up and grown together. Beautiful people who I call friends.’ The source says, “Akshay has shot many movies with Anupam and his wife Kirron and is very close to the family. If Neena and Anupam play Akshay’s parents in Sooryavanshi, it will be a casting coup as the two award-winning actors have acted in Rakesh Bedi’s much-acclaimed, super hit play –Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha.”
There were rumours that some scenes of Sooryavanshi were being re-shot and Akshay had cancelled some of his Laxmmi Bomb dates, re-schedule them again for the Sooryavanshi shoot with Katrina in Hyderabad but the source dismisses those rumours. “Rohit is a very organised director and clear about what he wants. His shoots wind up earlier than scheduled, he has a very efficient and supportive team of technicians, and his action plan is safe and meticulous, so it seems highly unlikely that he would need to re-shoot scenes. One can always add characters to move the story forward and add emotional depths to it. Re-shooting is expensive, and a producer’s nightmare and it can never happen in a Rohit Shetty movie. He has always been a producer’s darling – he is not known as a Hit Machine for nothing.”
Also Read: Ranveer Singh gets his BEAST mode on for his cameo in Sooryavanshi!
While there has been speculation about some scenes of Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi being re-shot now in Hyderabad, we have also come to hear that some new characters have been added to the script, after the first schedule. The cop action-drama stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Gulshan Grover, Sikandar Kher and Niharica Raizada among others. Sooryavanshi, which is one of the most anticipated action-drama cop dramas of 2020, is slated for release on March 27.
Says a trade source, “There has been buzz that some re-shooting is happening in Hyderabad on the movie, apart from the climax, which was shot on Ranveer, Akshay and Ajay, and they have been shooting for the last few days. Katrina was also there as part of some scenes but whether they were new scenes or re-shot one’s is not clear. Apparently, the makers (including writer Farhad Samji) are changing some of the tracks and have added the characters of Akshay’s father and mother, which was not there in the original. Akshay plays a stylised cop, ATS Chief Veer Sooryavanshi, who deals with terrorism and Neena Gupta and another actor has been finalised to play his parents. Buzz is, the characters were added to give emotional layers to the movie and was a recent decision.”
The source adds that apparently, Neena Gupta will wear prosthetics to get the look of an elderly lady and as Akshay’s mother, as she’s shooting for Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan too and has to remain in continuity. “She is a very dedicated artist and went through the process of life casting which takes a mould of her face and neck, for sculpting the prosthetic, in the first week of October. It’s a powerful role which apparently, was pencilled in recently in the script as was the role of Veer Sooryavanshi’s father.”
The actor who is playing his father is under wraps which they will announce according to their marketing strategy. There’s talk that Anupam Kher is playing Akshay’s father. In May this year, Akshay posted a candid pic on Twitter with Anupam Kher and Gulshan Grover. He captioned it saying, “I started my career with these two and it's amazing to still be working with them. We've laughed, punched each other, grown up and grown together. Beautiful people who I call friends.’ The source says, “Akshay has shot many movies with Anupam and his wife Kirron and is very close to the family. If Neena and Anupam play Akshay’s parents in Sooryavanshi, it will be a casting coup as the two award-winning actors have acted in Rakesh Bedi’s much-acclaimed, super hit play –Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha.”
There were rumours that some scenes of Sooryavanshi were being re-shot and Akshay had cancelled some of his Laxmmi Bomb dates, re-schedule them again for the Sooryavanshi shoot with Katrina in Hyderabad but the source dismisses those rumours. “Rohit is a very organised director and clear about what he wants. His shoots wind up earlier than scheduled, he has a very efficient and supportive team of technicians, and his action plan is safe and meticulous, so it seems highly unlikely that he would need to re-shoot scenes. One can always add characters to move the story forward and add emotional depths to it. Re-shooting is expensive, and a producer’s nightmare and it can never happen in a Rohit Shetty movie. He has always been a producer’s darling – he is not known as a Hit Machine for nothing.”
Also Read: Ranveer Singh gets his BEAST mode on for his cameo in Sooryavanshi!
While there has been speculation about some scenes of Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi being re-shot now in Hyderabad, we have also come to hear that some new characters have been added to the script, after the first schedule. The cop action-drama stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Gulshan Grover, Sikandar Kher and Niharica Raizada among others. Sooryavanshi, which is one of the most anticipated action-drama cop dramas of 2020, is slated for release on March 27.
Says a trade source, “There has been buzz that some re-shooting is happening in Hyderabad on the movie, apart from the climax, which was shot on Ranveer, Akshay and Ajay, and they have been shooting for the last few days. Katrina was also there as part of some scenes but whether they were new scenes or re-shot one’s is not clear. Apparently, the makers (including writer Farhad Samji) are changing some of the tracks and have added the characters of Akshay’s father and mother, which was not there in the original. Akshay plays a stylised cop, ATS Chief Veer Sooryavanshi, who deals with terrorism and Neena Gupta and another actor has been finalised to play his parents. Buzz is, the characters were added to give emotional layers to the movie and was a recent decision.”
The source adds that apparently, Neena Gupta will wear prosthetics to get the look of an elderly lady and as Akshay’s mother, as she’s shooting for Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan too and has to remain in continuity. “She is a very dedicated artist and went through the process of life casting which takes a mould of her face and neck, for sculpting the prosthetic, in the first week of October. It’s a powerful role which apparently, was pencilled in recently in the script as was the role of Veer Sooryavanshi’s father.”
The actor who is playing his father is under wraps which they will announce according to their marketing strategy. There’s talk that Anupam Kher is playing Akshay’s father. In May this year, Akshay posted a candid pic on Twitter with Anupam Kher and Gulshan Grover. He captioned it saying, “I started my career with these two and it's amazing to still be working with them. We've laughed, punched each other, grown up and grown together. Beautiful people who I call friends.’ The source says, “Akshay has shot many movies with Anupam and his wife Kirron and is very close to the family. If Neena and Anupam play Akshay’s parents in Sooryavanshi, it will be a casting coup as the two award-winning actors have acted in Rakesh Bedi’s much-acclaimed, super hit play –Mera Woh Matlab Nahi Tha.”
There were rumours that some scenes of Sooryavanshi were being re-shot and Akshay had cancelled some of his Laxmmi Bomb dates, re-schedule them again for the Sooryavanshi shoot with Katrina in Hyderabad but the source dismisses those rumours. “Rohit is a very organised director and clear about what he wants. His shoots wind up earlier than scheduled, he has a very efficient and supportive team of technicians, and his action plan is safe and meticulous, so it seems highly unlikely that he would need to re-shoot scenes. One can always add characters to move the story forward and add emotional depths to it. Re-shooting is expensive, and a producer’s nightmare and it can never happen in a Rohit Shetty movie. He has always been a producer’s darling – he is not known as a Hit Machine for nothing.”
Also Read: Ranveer Singh gets his BEAST mode on for his cameo in Sooryavanshi!
Apparently, Luv Ranjan’s untitled action-drama-thriller, starring Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, may have to be on hold further. While there have been reports of the film being shelved, none of the actors, nor the director himself, has officially denied them. But sources close to the movie have said they are untrue. We have now heard that while the movie will begin shoot with Ranbir from March 2020, Ajay himself may not be a part of the movie.
Says a trade source, “An official announcement of Luv’s next is yet to come after it was announced (with Ajay and Ranbir heading the cast) last year in May. It is yet to take off as it has been in the scripting stages for over a year and Ajay cannot hold onto his dates anymore. Luv’s movie was said to roll by the end of the year but has apparently been delayed again. He may start shoot with Ranbir (after he completes the shoots for Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra and Karan Malhotra’s Shamshera) by March next year. Buzz is that apart from date issues, Ajay is not happy with the script and has opted out of Luv’s movie. The superstar is more excited about Neeraj Pandey’s modern-day, socio-political drama, which Neeraj recently narrated to him. Ajay plays a shrewd political strategist and global jetsetter, someone who is known as a modern-day Chanakya in it and loved the script. While in Luv’s action-drama-thriller based in the heartlands of India, apparently, Ranbir plays the main protagonist and Ajay an older man.”
According to the source, the story is said to revolve around the relationship between the older man’s second wife and his son-turned-foe. “Naturally, Deepika and Ranbir will play the main lead – and Ajay may play something like Pankaj Kapoor’s character in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool. While it’s an interesting and challenging role (one which had earned Pankaj many accolades), and has lots of stylized action, it’s not the central character like Neeraj’s movie would have Ajay playing. The movie will provide deep insights into the art of running a country and has the star playing an extremely challenging role with multiple shades. The project is being kept under wraps till the shooting starts from December this year in Dubai and will be a marathon schedule. The Chanakya team wants to release the film by early next year and Ajay has said in an interview that Chanakya will be made in two parts so Ajay’s dates will be blocked for the months that Luv plans to shoot his movie.”
The source adds that reports of Luv’s movie being shelved due to script issues have been there for some time but Ajay had denied it earlier this year, saying it would go on floors in 2020. “Luv Ranjan’s film was originally scheduled to begin in 2018, was pushed to April 2019 and now, it has been pushed to mid-2020, going by reports in media, as the final draft is being finalised. The untitled big budget entertainer will have some high-octane stunts and will be shot in India and abroad. Ajay has a hectic schedule this year and in 2020, which includes completing the shoot of Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Dudhaiya’s Bhuj: The Pride Of India, Om Raut’s Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and an exciting extended cameo in S Rajamouli's RRR which stars Jr NTR and Ram Charan in the lead roles. It now remains to be seen whether Ajay has chosen Chanakya over Luv’s movie but definitely, his role in Chanakya is one any actor would be thrilled to have in his repertoire!”
Apparently, Luv Ranjan’s untitled action-drama-thriller, starring Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, may have to be on hold further. While there have been reports of the film being shelved, none of the actors, nor the director himself, has officially denied them. But sources close to the movie have said they are untrue. We have now heard that while the movie will begin shoot with Ranbir from March 2020, Ajay himself may not be a part of the movie.
Says a trade source, “An official announcement of Luv’s next is yet to come after it was announced (with Ajay and Ranbir heading the cast) last year in May. It is yet to take off as it has been in the scripting stages for over a year and Ajay cannot hold onto his dates anymore. Luv’s movie was said to roll by the end of the year but has apparently been delayed again. He may start shoot with Ranbir (after he completes the shoots for Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra and Karan Malhotra’s Shamshera) by March next year. Buzz is that apart from date issues, Ajay is not happy with the script and has opted out of Luv’s movie. The superstar is more excited about Neeraj Pandey’s modern-day, socio-political drama, which Neeraj recently narrated to him. Ajay plays a shrewd political strategist and global jetsetter, someone who is known as a modern-day Chanakya in it and loved the script. While in Luv’s action-drama-thriller based in the heartlands of India, apparently, Ranbir plays the main protagonist and Ajay an older man.”
According to the source, the story is said to revolve around the relationship between the older man’s second wife and his son-turned-foe. “Naturally, Deepika and Ranbir will play the main lead – and Ajay may play something like Pankaj Kapoor’s character in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool. While it’s an interesting and challenging role (one which had earned Pankaj many accolades), and has lots of stylized action, it’s not the central character like Neeraj’s movie would have Ajay playing. The movie will provide deep insights into the art of running a country and has the star playing an extremely challenging role with multiple shades. The project is being kept under wraps till the shooting starts from December this year in Dubai and will be a marathon schedule. The Chanakya team wants to release the film by early next year and Ajay has said in an interview that Chanakya will be made in two parts so Ajay’s dates will be blocked for the months that Luv plans to shoot his movie.”
The source adds that reports of Luv’s movie being shelved due to script issues have been there for some time but Ajay had denied it earlier this year, saying it would go on floors in 2020. “Luv Ranjan’s film was originally scheduled to begin in 2018, was pushed to April 2019 and now, it has been pushed to mid-2020, going by reports in media, as the final draft is being finalised. The untitled big budget entertainer will have some high-octane stunts and will be shot in India and abroad. Ajay has a hectic schedule this year and in 2020, which includes completing the shoot of Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Dudhaiya’s Bhuj: The Pride Of India, Om Raut’s Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and an exciting extended cameo in S Rajamouli's RRR which stars Jr NTR and Ram Charan in the lead roles. It now remains to be seen whether Ajay has chosen Chanakya over Luv’s movie but definitely, his role in Chanakya is one any actor would be thrilled to have in his repertoire!”
Probably the biggest speculation today is the announcement of Salman Khan’s next movie on Eid 2020 and the last few week has been fuelled with the superstar’s denying that his movie was called Radhe. We can tell you now that Radhe was all but finalised (including the script) till just a week ago but things apparently, fell apart and that movie is not happening now.
Bollywood Hungama was the first to tell you that the Salman Khan was reuniting with his Bharat producers, Atul Agnihotri and Nikhil Namit for a hard-core masala entertainer – the exception being that it would also be produced by Salman Khan Productions. There were also reports that the movie was titled Radhe but while admitting that his Eid 2020 release would be directed by his Dabangg 3 director, Prabhu Dheva, he had denied that the movie was called Radhe.
Says a trade source, “Recently, when asked about a movie called Radhe, releasing on Eid, Salman had denied it, adding that Prabhu Dheva would direct it. But buzz is that Radhe was almost happening but for various reasons didn’t. After Inshallah got postponed indefinitely, Salman was searching for a script. He got two – one a Korean remake and the other a masala entertainer. One thing was certain – whichever was finalised, the film would be directed by Prabhu Dheva. Salman is extremely impressed with the director’s work in Dabangg 3, his massy connect and the fact that everything is on schedule. The massy entertainer was finalised and titled Radhe because in both his movies (Tere Naam and Wanted) where he is called Radhe, they have turned out to be blockbusters.”
The source adds that even the poster for Radhe had been designed and kept ready. “Atul Agnihotri, Nikhil Namit and Salman were ready with the announcement but something happened last week and the project fall apart. While the buzz is that they discovered just before the announcement that the story was similar to another movie and the title is with someone else – only a few (including Salman) know what the truth is. The story was based in the heartlands of North India and the final draft (with Salman’s inputs) was complete with rumours of the star playing a double role. Salman had planned to announce the movie, after he began shooting for it.”
Now the hunt for a fresh script is on again. The source adds, “Salman won’t leave Eid 2020. His fans expect it and it’s a box-office bonanza for everybody around. No other star except Salman enjoys that kind of BO success on Eid so it’s natural that his release comes on that day. This project is very important to Salman and he is taking keen interest himself in every department. There is another script that they are looking at. The movie will definitely be a musical entertainer with great action and a love story for both the multiplex audience and single-screens like the Dabangg franchise.”
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Salman Khan starrer Radhe to release on Eid 2020; EXCITING details inside!
Probably the biggest speculation today is the announcement of Salman Khan’s next movie on Eid 2020 and the last few week has been fuelled with the superstar’s denying that his movie was called Radhe. We can tell you now that Radhe was all but finalised (including the script) till just a week ago but things apparently, fell apart and that movie is not happening now.
Bollywood Hungama was the first to tell you that the Salman Khan was reuniting with his Bharat producers, Atul Agnihotri and Nikhil Namit for a hard-core masala entertainer – the exception being that it would also be produced by Salman Khan Productions. There were also reports that the movie was titled Radhe but while admitting that his Eid 2020 release would be directed by his Dabangg 3 director, Prabhu Dheva, he had denied that the movie was called Radhe.
Says a trade source, “Recently, when asked about a movie called Radhe, releasing on Eid, Salman had denied it, adding that Prabhu Dheva would direct it. But buzz is that Radhe was almost happening but for various reasons didn’t. After Inshallah got postponed indefinitely, Salman was searching for a script. He got two – one a Korean remake and the other a masala entertainer. One thing was certain – whichever was finalised, the film would be directed by Prabhu Dheva. Salman is extremely impressed with the director’s work in Dabangg 3, his massy connect and the fact that everything is on schedule. The massy entertainer was finalised and titled Radhe because in both his movies (Tere Naam and Wanted) where he is called Radhe, they have turned out to be blockbusters.”
The source adds that even the poster for Radhe had been designed and kept ready. “Atul Agnihotri, Nikhil Namit and Salman were ready with the announcement but something happened last week and the project fall apart. While the buzz is that they discovered just before the announcement that the story was similar to another movie and the title is with someone else – only a few (including Salman) know what the truth is. The story was based in the heartlands of North India and the final draft (with Salman’s inputs) was complete with rumours of the star playing a double role. Salman had planned to announce the movie, after he began shooting for it.”
Now the hunt for a fresh script is on again. The source adds, “Salman won’t leave Eid 2020. His fans expect it and it’s a box-office bonanza for everybody around. No other star except Salman enjoys that kind of BO success on Eid so it’s natural that his release comes on that day. This project is very important to Salman and he is taking keen interest himself in every department. There is another script that they are looking at. The movie will definitely be a musical entertainer with great action and a love story for both the multiplex audience and single-screens like the Dabangg franchise.”
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Salman Khan starrer Radhe to release on Eid 2020; EXCITING details inside!
While people have been speculating about Deepika Padukone’s next after Meghna Gulzar’s Chhapaak, we have it on confirmed sources that she has signed Luv Ranjan’s next. The movie stars Ajay Devgn and Ranbir Kapoor and the actress will be paired opposite the younger actor. The story is said to be a heartland drama revolving around the quirky story of a father and son and Ranbir and Ajay get together for their second movie after Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti (2010).
Last year, Luv Ranjan had been accused of sexual harassment by an aspiring actress (anonymous) but he had denied the allegations. He had released a statement on his Twitter handle apologising to whoever he had caused hurt or not made feel comfortable enough. Apparently, Deepika's signing the movie is kept under wraps for the moment as the makers want to make an announcement at the right time.
Says a trade source, “Deepika is doing Luv Ranjan’s untitled next but everybody wants to keep it under wraps till the whole noise about Me Too dies down completely. Deepika had signed the movie much earlier this year and had started discussions regarding the script with Luv. In July, she and Ranbir were even spotted coming out of the filmmaker’s office but Deepika’s fans took offence to that and #NotMyDeepika started trending online. Many felt on social media that given her strong stance against sexual harassment she shouldn’t do the movie and ask her to rethink her choice. In a magazine interview, Deepika had denied that she would be willing to work with a person, accused of sexual misconduct. Her fans were appeased by that but now that she has signed the film it will be interesting to see their reactions.”
The source adds that Deepika, Ranbir and Luv have quietly been working on the movie after the fan protests. “Apparently, they meet at Luv’s home and office but make sure the media doesn’t get a whiff of it. It’s a very different kind of role for Deepika and a well-scripted romance. The actress had loved the script and given her nod months ago. Also, she and Ranbir share great on-screen chemistry and with Luv’s it will be their fourth movie together after Bachna Ae Haseena, Yeh Jawaani Hai Diwani and Tamasha. Once the prep and workshops are done, they will make the announcement at the right time. Me Too is a sensitive subject and the makers and the actors don't want to hurt anybody's feelings. Ranbir is currently shooting for Shamshera and will join in preps soon. The movie will roll next year after Ajay and Ranbir complete their current quota of movies.”
The source adds that while Shraddha Kapoor had never been approached for Luv Ranjan’s next, where Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana was concerned, apparently, both Shraddha and Hrithik Roshan were in talks till Hrithik turned down the movie. “It’s true both hadn’t signed the movie and it was prematurely leaked out that they had signed it. Apparently, Shraddha was keen to play Sita opposite Hrithik’s Ram but when he said no, she too opted out. Hence the flurry of denials (about either star being approached), coming from Nitesh, Shraddha and Hrithik regarding the movie. But for Luv Ranjan’s next it was always Deepika, never Shraddha. The younger actress’s name was tossed around only last week so that again a storm of protests from Deepika’s fans don’t arise again till the makers are ready to make an announcement.”
Also Read: Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor’s film with Luv Ranjan gets leading ladies in Deepika Padukone and Nushrat Bharucha
Aamir Khan’s next, Lal Singh Chaddha, directed by Advait Chandan, and an official adaptation of Tom Hanks, Forrest Gump (1994), begins shoot in Punjab from November 1. Aamir plays a simple-minded yet loveable character from Punjab and has been learning the language for the same. Kareena Kapoor Khan, who plays one of the most challenging roles of her career, will join him in Punjab, a few days after Aamir’s on the shoot, as that’s where their love story begins. A major chunk of this shooting will have scenes from their younger college days, how they met and fell in love and separated.
Says a trade source, “While Aamir and his team have been scouting many locations across India, the first schedule will begin from November 1 in Punjab and shot across cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and nearby towns and villages. Both Aamir and Kareena will be seen in various looks spanning three decades and also in various professions. They meet in school and keep bumping into each other over a span of time. Aamir plays a simple-minded guy who influences important sports, political and cultural events in India through his journey across the country, over a span of three decades. This requires him to be in different locations each time. Apart from Punjab, the star is also expected to shoot in Delhi, Gujarat, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Kareena joins him in the first schedule in Punjab. She plays his best friend from childhood with whom he instantly falls in love and keeps loving her right till the end. The first schedule will see both Kareena and Aamir’s characters in their younger days in school (played by child artistes) where they become friends and then college when they fall in love. Aamir has lost 20 kgs to play the younger version of Laal Singh Chaddha.”
The source says that while Aamir plays a simple-minded guy, Kareena’s character is complex. “She has fought her own battles in life, seen ups and downs, and the more she gets hurt, the more self-destructive she becomes. But she loves Laal Singh. Kareena has not done a multi-layered character before and may even be seen as a hippie – a culture that flourished during the early 1970s. She keeps re-entering Laal Singh's life at various times and they eventually get married. Kareena too will have various getups like Aamir – from college, then according to her bohemian lifestyle and finally in the latter years when she meets Laal Singh during adulthood.”
The script has been written by actor-writer Atul Kulkarni and Laal Singh Chaddha is scheduled for a Christmas 2020 release.