Bajirao Mastani Postponed
Last year, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced his long-pending dream project Bajirao Mastani with Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra in the lead and a 2015 Christmas (December 25) release. But a source close to the film reveals that shooting is far from complete and the film will release only in the second half of next year.
"Currently, Ranveer is shooting for his portion of the film in Rajasthan. Deepika has allotted her dates in September and October and a chunk is yet to be shot with Priyanka. So there is no chance that the film can release during Christmas," says the source.
Roy Is Profitable
In today's times, when movies are tanking one after another at the ticket counter, here's some good news - T-Series' Royhas turned profitable. What worked in favour of the film was the way it was planned from the very beginning. Since it was a niche film, the team of T-Series headed by Bhushan Kumar always knew that it would be difficult for the audience to lap up this kind of cinema.
Thus the film was shot in Malaysia, where they received rebate and then they worked really hard to get chartbuster music. The look of the film and its songs, and obviously the presence of Ranbir Kapoor, blended very well with the way the film was marketed.
Although Roy did not do tremendous theatrical business, the makers have earned a profit with revenue from other avenues such as satellite and music rights, and the rebate they received. They are yet to exploit the Internet and home video platforms.
Full marks to Bhushan Kumar and his team. Way to go, Team T-Series!!!
It's Ghayal - Once Again
Sunny Deol is producing, directing and acting in his next, which is a sequel to the 1990 blockbuster Ghayal. The sequel has been titled Ghayal - Once Again. Soha Ali Khan is playing the leading lady in this film. Deol has decided to keep a low profile till he finishes the film and will start talking about it only when he starts promoting it. Ghayal - Once Again is set in Mumbai and the entire film will be shot in Mumbai.
PS: Whoever has seen the footage shot so far are raving about this action-thriller. They feel that Sunny Deol will most definitely bounce back with this film.
Sujoy's Next Set In Kolkata
Sujoy Ghosh has completed the final draft of his next detective film, an adaptation of Japanese novel The Devotion Of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino. This film too - just like his last film, Kahaani - will be set in Kolkata. A source close to the film reveals, "Sujoy had developed the script with Kolkata in mind as the house plays a very important role in the film, and Kolkata has some unique old houses. The film starts rolling in April as he is still looking for the leading lady."
The book is a thriller about a woman craving a peaceful life but ends up killing her abusive ex-husband. After her next-door-neighbour helps her to hide the body, an investigator senses something fishy. The investigator is played by Saif Ali Khan and the neighbour Pakistani actor Fawad Khan.
PS: We also hear that once he finishes this film, Ghosh wants to start shooting Durga Rani Singh, which will go on floors in December. Shilpa Shukla has been signed to play the lead.
Saat Hindustani Shelved?
Last year, after Khoobsurat, Anil Kapoor Productions had announced their next Saat Hindustani, to be directed by debutant director Karan Boolani and feature newcomers along with Divyendu Sharma. But it appears that the project has exceeded its budget.
A source close to the film says, "The film was to start rolling in January but the script demands an overseas shoot and thus it has gone over-budget. The production house has thus put the film on hold and has started working on some fresh scripts."
And They Parted Ways
A few weeks ago, we told you that Rakesh Roshan would be producing Abhinay Deo's next, which features Irrfan Khan, Aditi Rao Hyadri, Kunaal Roy Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor, Divya Dutta and Vijay Raaz. But it seems Roshan and Deo had differences and the former has opted out of the project.
Confirming this development, Deo says, "Yes, Rakeshji is not producing the film any more but we are going ahead as a solo producer under Ramesh Deo Productions. I will be wearing the director and producer's hat for the film and we start rolling in March."
When asked why they parted ways, he says, "There were no creative differences; it just didn't work out. Rakesh sir and I had been talking about working together for a long time. So he agreed to be part of this film but then decided to opt out. But we will work together in future." The director also reveals that the film is a dark comedy and will be shot in Mumbai and Lucknow.
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