It's Postponed
Shashanka Ghosh, who has helmed films like Quick Gun Murugun and Khoobsurat, was all set with his next film which is yet untitled. He was to start rolling this month. The film, featuring Naseerudin Shah in the lead, is based on a guru-chela and is a very funny take on life. It will be shot in Manali and Mumbai and is on the lines of Quick Gun Murugun. But the film has been postponed to the end of this year. Reason: The director recently suffered a heart attack and doctors have advised rest.
Now Reunion
Sujoy Ghosh has become the talk of the town as the director's recent short film Ahalya, starring Soumitra Chatterjee and Radhika Apte, has become very popular on the Internet. Also the subject of discussion are the many films Ghosh is planning to make - from a sequel to Kahaani, the adaptation of Japanese Novel - The Devotion Of Suspect X, Durga Rani Singh and a film with Amitabh Bachchan-Nawazuddin Siddiqui. The Bachchan-Siddiqui film was to start rolling by the end of this year. But now we hear that Ghosh is making a film called Reunion based on his college life - what happens when old friends meet for a reunion. The film will be produced by Eros International.
PS: Reunion was to be directed by Arindam Sil and produced by Ghosh. Sil was the executive producer on Kahaani, and Viacom18 was to present the film. But it seems things didn't work out between the two and Ghosh has decided to directReunion himself. This film too will be shot in Kolkata.
Something On Good News
Last week, at Box Office India, we told you first that Panorama Studios' Kumar Mangat had signed Ashwni Dhir for two films - Good News and the 123 sequel. Speaking to us exclusively, producer Abhishek Pathak reveals, "Yes, we have signed Ashwni Dhir for two films. One is the 123 sequel. We are currently working on the subject and scripting is yet to begin. The other film is Good News, which will start rolling in the last quarter of this year."
Pathak adds, "Good News is the story of today's couples who work in the corporate world and how they struggle to get good news', which means having a baby. We are still finalising the casting and are in talks with a few actors."
Ballary To Direct Imran Khan?
Sagar Ballary, who has directed films like Bheja Fry, Kaccha Limboo, Bheja Fry 2 and Hum Tum Shabana,has cracked another script. This time, it's a two-hero script, where both the leading men fall for the same girl but it's not the regular love triangle. We hear that the director has narrated the script to Imran Khan, who is currently looking for content-oriented scripts. We're told he likes it. The director is also looking to cast another actor and a fresh actress, whose chemistry will match that of the two leading actors.
Mirziya To Be Preponed?
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra takes his own time to make films. After the success of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the director is now launching Anil Kapoor's son Harshvardhan Kapoor in Mirziya. The film is based on the tragic love story of Mirza and Sahiba. A few weeks ago, the makers announced that Mirziya would release on May 13 next year. But now we hear that they might advance the film's release.
A source close to the film reveals, "The last schedule is underway in Leh and will wrap next month. After that, there are nine months before the film's release date. But since the post-production will require only three months, the makers are planning an early release next year. The edit is happening simultaneously so a lot of post-production work is already done. "
So fans, who are eagerly awaiting another newcomer from a star family, will get to see him a little earlier than expected. Watch this space for the new release date!
Shoot In Pakistan
After the success of Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Aanand L Rai is gearing up for his next film, but this time it's under his own banner Colour Yellow and is titled Happy Bhaag Jayegi to be directed by Mudassar Aziz. The film will feature Abhay Deol and Diana Penty in leading roles. It is a cross-border love story spanning India and Pakistan. The makers will shoot the film in Amritsar, Chandigarh and, in January, a major chunk in Pakistan. Yes, the makers will be shooting in actual locations in Pakistan.
Happy Bhaag Jayegi starts rolling in the next few months.
Now On August 7
There are only 52 weeks in a year and most of the big holidays have been bagged by the big films. The first half of the year is when content-driven films get a release window. Post July, it's all about big films and it becomes difficult to get a clear release window. As a result, many biggies clash at the box office.
But Junglee Pictures and Excel Entertainment took a wise decision. Their film Bangistan, featuring Riteish Deshmukh, Pulkit Samrat and Jacqueline Fernandez, was to clash with Viacom18 Motion Pictures' Drishyamstarring Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Shriya Saran on July 31. Since August 7 doesn't have a big release (apart from Jaanisaar), they decided to avoid the clash with Drishyam. This wise decision taken by Junglee Pictures and Excel Entertainment will benefit both films as each will get a clear window to run at the box office.
Guess Who?
As often happens during the process of filmmaking, a script that looks fabulous on paper doesn't seem quite as captivating when one watches it on screen. That seems to be the case with this high-profile film that went into production with much fanfare a few months ago, targeting an early 2016 release. With a substantial amount of shooting already done, the film's leading man asked that he be shown a rough cut of the portions already shot. As is the norm in our industry, when a big hero requests, the producers duly accept and hence a screening was quickly arranged. Unfortunately, the lead actor didn't quite like what he saw and his deflated interest and enthusiasm for the film was quite obvious to those who met him soon after.
Last heard, the producers were hoping and praying that this was just a passing phase and that the leading man would soon rediscover his love for the project. For their sake, we hope he does. Else, it will be very difficult to meet the scheduled release date if the actor suddenly starts citing unforeseen issues' when asked for his dates for the next schedule.
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