Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 29, 2018)

With only a short schedule of Manikarnika - The Queen Of Jhansi pending, Kangana Ranaut has turned her attention towards her next project, a whodunit, which she hopes to title Mental. Interestingly, for her debut outing in the genre, Ranaut has zeroed in on Vicky Kaushal to feature alongside her. In a bid to keep the suspense around the thriller intact, insiders, we hear, are keeping their lips sealed about the storyline.

However, a source reveals, “Kangana plays a dark character. Vicky slips into the part of her nemesis. He instantly fell for his role when he read the script. The makers wanted someone who could give a tough fight to Kangana’s character, and Vicky has showcased sufficient range to provide the same.”

Ahead of the first schedule in August, Kaushal we hear, will be allotted 15 days to gain a few pounds for the venture. The development comes after reports of the unit having approached Ayushmann Khurrana and Rajkummar Rao for the part. Kaushal is yet to sign on the dotted line.

While the film was set to roll in February, Ranaut will find herself occupied with the patch work for her Rani Laxmibai biopic before she can dive headfirst into this venture. “With Vicky too having a 40-day schedule for his next, Uri, in the pipeline, it was apt to defer this film.”