Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 27, 2019)

While speculation around Luv Ranjan’s next directorial, featuring Ajay Devgn and Ranbir Kapoor, suggests that it is yet another romcom, Mirror has learnt that the untitled project is a lavishly mounted action-thriller.

According to a source close to the development, it is the most ambitious film to come out of the filmmaker’s oeuvre. “Luv has been working on the script for almost two years now. The first draft of the script is locked, and the film will go on the floors by the year-end,” the source revealed, adding that the yet-untitled action-thriller will be shot in India and abroad. “It is mounted on a huge budget. Once the final draft of the script is locked, Luv will go on a recce. After that, he will finalise a stunt team that will be a mix of Indian and international action directors.”

While this is Luv’s first film in the action genre after a slew of romcoms, it marks a first for Ranbir too, who will be playing a larger-than-life character after largely fronting coming-of-age films. “He will be seen performing some stylish stunts alongside Ajay. The film’s team is planning action workshops for them ahead of filming,” the source informed.

The makers are currently in talks with several A-list actresses to play the female lead in the two-hero saga. “The heroine also has a strong character,” the source shared.

Luv, who is also producing the film, is targetting a Christmas 2020 release. “The plan is to go on the floors by December this year and wrap it up by April 2020. As it is an action-thriller, it will require a prolonged post-production,” the source concluded.

This is Ajay and Ranbir’s second collaboration after Prakash Jha’s 2010 political thriller, Raajneeti. Before starting work on the new film, Ajay is awaiting release of another Luv Ranjan production, the Akiv Alidirected De De Pyar De. He is currently wrapping up work on his home production Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, SS Rajamouli’s RRR, Amit Sharma’s Syed Abdul Rahim biopic and Abhishek Dudhaiya’s Bhuj: The Pride of India. Ranbir is nearing wrapup on Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra and Karan Malhotra’s Shamshera.