Ronnie Screwaala takes over Kedarnath from KriArj/Ekta

Months after shooting for Abhishek Kapoor's Kedarnath came to a screeching halt following a fallout between the director and producer Prernaa Arora, the fi lm is ready to start its second schedule. Mirror has learnt that fi lmmaker Ronnie Screwvala has facilitated smooth sailing for the troubled project by taking over the reins and compensating former producers Bhushan Kumar, Prernaa and Ekta Kapoor. The film's team gets back to work by the month-end in Mumbai. "When Ronnie saw footage from Kedarnath, he loved it and has decided to back the film. He has paid Bhushan and Prernaa around Rs 14 crore and Ekta approximately Rs 8 crore for their investment in the film and has now completely taken over the film along with Abhishek.

Everything was settled amicably and Abhishek can't wait to start shooting again, a source close to the development informed Mirror. The film's first schedule was wrapped up in Uttarakhand. Confirming the news, Ronnie said, "Kedarnath is a great love story set against the backdrop of the powerful true-life event that affected us all during the floods in 2013. It completely matches my vision of great stories that need to be told and I can't wait to bring this story to the audiences early next year. The film was previously scheduled to hit the marquee later this year.

Trouble had first brewed on the sets of Kedarnath when the budget had reportedly ballooned, while apparently senior members of the technical crew had walked out during the first schedule over creative differences. Reports claimed that Sushant and Abhishek were also grappling with similar issues. However, sources close to the development inform that the film has not gone over-budget, while Abhishek had denied that the film was delayed due to disagreements among crew members (Mirror, February 14). "Shooting had to be pushed ahead due to the torrential rains in November.

For the film to resume rolling this April, we have already begun work on the sets. That is the scale of this film. There are so many careers at stake and we are working very hard to see it through. Any other comments regarding fallouts with the crew are rubbish, the director had said in the interview. Kedarnath, which marks the acting debut of Amrita Singh and Saif Ali Khan's daughter, Sara, opposite Sushant, is a love story set against the backdrop of the flash floods that wrecked the temple town in June 2013 and claimed over a hundred thousand lives.

Coincidentally, the film marks a second collaboration for Abhishek and Ronnie after the 2013 buddy-drama Kai Po Che! that had also featured Sushant in the lead alongside Rajkummar Rao and Amit Sadh. The actor is also a part of Abhishek Chaubey's dacoit-drama Sonchiriya, which is produced by Ronnie and also features Bhumi Pednekar and Manoj Bajpayee. "I feel invigorated that he has stepped in and reinforced his faith in me. Just being in the same room with Ronnie is a privilege, making a movie with him is an honour, an elated Abhishek told Mirror, adding that he has already begun prep for the second schedule of the film.