BOMBAY TIMES (May 20, 2019)

Akshay Kumar-starrer Laxmmi Bomb, which is the Hindi remake of the popular South franchise Kanchana, has run into controversy after the makers released the first look of the film. Raghava Lawrence (right), the director of Kanchana and also its Hindi remake, wasn’t too happy with this development. Expressing his grievance in a post on his Twitter handle, he said that the first look of the film was released without his knowledge, and therefore, he was opting out of the movie.

In his post, he said, “There is an old popular saying in Tamil which tells, 'Don’t step into any house where there is no respect'. In this world, more than money and fame, self-respect is the most important attribute to a person’s character. So, I have decided to step out of the project, ‘Laxmmi Bomb’ the Hindi remake of Kanchana. I don’t want to mention the reason because there are multiple reasons, but one of them is that the first look poster of the film was released today without my knowledge and even without discussing anything with me. I was informed about this by a third person. It is very painful for a director to know about his movie’s first look release from others. I feel very disrespected and disappointed. As a creator, I am not satisfied with the poster design as well. This shouldn’t happen to any director. I can hold back my script because I haven’t signed any agreement regarding this film, but I won’t do it because it is not professional. I’m ready to give my script because I personally respect Akshay Kumar sir a lot. They can replace me with some other director according to their wish. Soon, I’m going to meet Akshay Kumar sir to give the script and step out of this project in a good way. All the very best to the entire team. I wish the movie a great success. (sic)”

His tweet came a day after Akshay, Tusshar Kapoor and Shabinaa Khan, producers of the film, released the first poster on Twitter. Their posts clearly mentioned Raghava as the director of the project. We tried reaching out to Tusshar, Shabinaa, Akshay and Raghava, but they didn’t respond till the time of going to press.
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Two days after Raghava Lawrence quit Hindi remake of his franchise, makers decide to rope in another filmmaker
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 20, 2019)

Mirror was the first to report (April 12) that Akshay Kumar has signed on for the Hindi remake of the Tamil horror-comedy, Muni 2: Kanchana, in which his character is possessed by a transgender ghost. Soon after, it was revealed that Farhad Samji would adapt the story for a pan-India audience and the film, titled Laxmmi Bomb, will be directed by Raghava Lawrence, the creator of the Kanchana franchise. The Hindi version went on the floors towards the end of last month in Mumbai with a 10-day schedule during which Akshay and leading lady Kiara Advani, filmed a song, “Bismillah”, apart from a few scenes.

Things took an unexpected turn when on Saturday, Raghava announced that he is stepping down as the director, citing “multiple reasons” and hinting at creative differences with producers Tusshar Kapoor and Shabinaa Khan. “There is an old popular saying in Tamil which tells, ‘Don’t step into any house where there is no respect. In this world, more than money and fame, self respect is the most important attribute to a person’s character...The first look poster (right) was released today without my knowledge. It is very painful for a director to know about his movie’s first look from others,” he stated, adding, “I am not satisfied with the poster design as well. This shouldn’t happen to any director.”

Raghava went on to add that he has all the rights to hold back the script but wouldn’t as “it is not professional”. “I am ready to give my script because I personally respect Akshay Kumar sir a lot… They can replace me with some other director according to their wish... Soon, I am going to meet Akshay Kumar sir to give the script and step out of this project in a good way,” he concluded.

While Tusshar and Shabinaa chose not to respond to our messages and calls, Mirror has learnt that the team met on Sunday evening for around a couple of hours. “Akshay has taken control of the project and met Shabinaa and Tusshar to decide the future course of action,” the source added.

While speculation was rife that the trio would try to convince Raghava to return, during the Sunday meeting, it was decided that a new director would be roped in. When asked if Raghava’s sudden exit has put a financial strain on the film, the source asserted, “The second schedule is only in September and things will fall in place by then. Akshay has allotted bulk dates for a 40-day marathon shooting spell in Mumbai. With Raghava, there was a communication gap which was difficult to breach. So we have to take a decision on the new director soon.”

Raghava has directed and acted in three films from the Kanchana franchise. Laxmmi Bomb was touted to be his big directorial debut in Bollywood. It marks Akshay’s return to the horror-comedy space after 12 years, and is the official adaptation of the South franchise. The film, which is a part of Akshay’s three-film deal with Fox Star Studio, is slated to release on June 5, 2020.

The first film in the series released in 2007 and in it the lead is possessed by a vengeful spirit. The sequel, Muni 2: Kanchana opened four years later and revolved around the male lead who is possessed by a transgender ghost. The third part arrived in the theatres on April 19 this year. A source had informed Mirror (April 8) that the Akshay-starrer is not a straight remake and draws from both Muni and its sequel Muni 2: Kanchana.