Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 22, 2018)

Varun Dhawan and Katrina Kaif’s first film together, ABC3D, takes off in Punjab in January before moving to London and marks the acting debut of three newbies. A source associated with the film reveals, “Remo (Dsouza, the film’s director) has been in talks with popular international dancers to feature opposite Varun. The chosen dancer, who is expected to be finalised soon, will have a significant role in the film.”

Also making her acting debut is Shakti Mohan, winner of Dance India Dance season one, who has previously featured on the big screen in the song “Aa Re Pritam Pyare” from Rowdy Rathore and another number in Remo’s previous production, Nawabzaade. She is currently seen as mentor on Remo’s talent hunt show Dance Plus.

With ABC3D, Remo is also launching Vartika Jha, a contestant from his show, as an actress. He has also promised a role in the Bhushan Kumar and Lizelle D’souza production to whoever wins the show.

Varun and Katrina start prep for ABC3D by November-end. While the former is busy filming Abhishek Varman’s Kalank with Alia Bhatt, Sonakshi Sinha and Aditya Roy Kapur, Katrina has been shooting for the Salman Khan and Disha Patani co-starrer Bharat.

Remo remained tight-lipped about the international dancer but confirmed Shakti and Vartika’s presence in the film, saying, “I’m launching Shakti and Vartika, whose performances I’ve loved. I had promised to launch Shakti long ago but it didn’t happen so this was the perfect opportunity. It’s too early to reveal other details but we start in Punjab and have a major shoot in London next year. Varun and Katrina are fantastic performers and so are the rest of the team.”

Last week, the choreographer-turned-filmmaker was in Punjab on a recce with wife Lizelle, where they paid a visit to the Golden Temple, among other locations.

While buzz is that Varun and Katrina aren’t paired opposite each other in the film, the source revealed that the actor-duo will be seen as an unconventional romantic pair. Mirror had previously reported (October 18) that the film will be shot over two-and-half months and is expected to wrap up by March next year. The film has been titled ABC3D to highlight its 3D format.