Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 20, 2017)

After Akshay Kumar's Airlift and the Saif Ali Khan-starrer Chef, which released in October, Raja Krishna Menon has started work on his next. The film will be shot across multiple countries. Currently shortlisting his options, the filmmaker is irked with speculation that he's cast Ranbir Kapoor in the lead. "My script is ready, it's a drama in the thriller space, but I haven't met Ranbir or even had a chat with him. I don't know why people are making up stories. Hopefully in the next three-four weeks, I will know who fits the script," he grouses, admitting that he did want to meet Ranbir after Chef but just to catch up and say hello. "But that didn't work out because he got busy and so did I. He is a fantastic actor and at some point I would like to collaborate with him but there are no immediate plans at the moment."

Raja says it will only go on floors next year because it needs to be shot in summer. "We're looking to start shooting mid-next year as I need six months of prep. I should lock the actor by December," he says decisively.