Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 7, 2018)

Mirror (April 30) had earlier reported that Amitabh Bachchan had opted out of National Award winning Marathi filmmaker, Nagraj Manjule’s Hindi debut titled Jhund, reportedly on account of several delays. We have now learnt that Bhushan Kumar has come on-board the film as a producer and has convinced the 75-year-old actor to return to the project to play the lead.

“Mr Bachchan had even returned the signing amount to the former producers but when Bhushan heard the script he really liked it. He decided to back the film and subsequently met him to bring him back. The makers are now working on getting fresh dates from Mr Bachchan for the shoot,” informs a source close to the development, adding that Manjule has already started work on the pre-production.

Bhushan, who has previously worked with the Big B on Nitesh Tiwari’s Bhoothnath Returns, says, “I am glad that the project will take off soon and I am getting an opportunity to work with Amit ji again. When (filmmaker) Savita Hiremath got the script to me and I saw Nagraj’s dedication to the subject, it made me want to back it. The subject is very good.” The filmmaker will produce the film with Manjule, and Savita and Raaj Hiremath.

In Jhund, Bachchan will play a retired sports teacher who starts a slum soccer movement.

A self-proclaimed fan of Big B, Manjule had earlier admitted to Mirror (September 30) that he grew up copying the actor’s clothes, speech and mannerisms. The Sairat director had also revealed that his Hindi debut touches upon the issues of drug-abuse and crime and will portray how sports can help reform kids. “I started working on the script after Sairat was wrapped up. Even though it is based on a real-life character, the way I’ve written the part and the film, it moves far away from the source,” Manjule had added.