Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; August 9, 2016)

In what could be termed as the casting coup of the decade, Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan are teaming up for the first time. Big B and Mr Perfectionist will share screen space in Vijay Krishna Acharya's untitled venture under the Yash Raj banner. The production is being reportedly referred to as Thug.

Sources say the two stars have given their nod to producer Aditya Chopra and are looking forward to working together. Bachchan, 73, and Aamir, 51, have been in the industry for decades, but have not been cast for the same project all these years casting them together. Each is known for his histrionics and having the two together on screen promises to be no less than a treat for Bollywood fans.

Says a source, "The makers are known to keep each of their projects under wraps till it gets rolling. Everyone associated with the venture has been told to keep mum till an official announcement is made. It is an ambitious project, no doubt." Acharya, better known as Victor in Bollywood, earlier directed Tashan (2008) and Dhoom 3 (2013) which starred Aamir. For a while, the film had been creating more buzz for its casting. There was talk that Hrithik Roshan was approached, but he apparently had some reservations and turned it down. There was also speculations about Deepika Padukone and Nawazuddin Siddiqui being offered the film.

The upcoming production is being described as an action adventure. There is talk about the film being inspired by Philip Meadows Taylor's 1839 book, Confessions of a Thug. Set in the British-India era, the book highlights the then rampant thug culture and the killing of travellers for money and valuables.

For now, we will have to wait for an official announcement.