His parents from Badhaai Ho have come on board to take Aanand L Rai’s franchise forward
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 15, 2019)

The 2017 sleeper hit, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, headlined by Ayushmann Khurrana and Bhumi Pednekar, is now being spun into a franchise. The second film in the series, titled Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, addresses a socially relevant subject of a same sex couple. It is expected to go on the floors towards August-end. Now, Mirror has learnt that the film will also mark its 34-year-old leading man’s reunion with Neena Gupta and Gajraj Rao, his parents from last year’s superhit Badhaai Ho. The Junglee Pictures’ production narrated the story of a middle-aged couple and what happens when the wife learns that she is pregnant with a third child. The news is not at all good, particularly for their two sons.

“Neena and Gajraj immediately connected with the script and were happy to come on board. They play a couple in this film too but will be seen in a completely different avatar from Badhaai Ho. Featuring another extended family and a light-hearted take on deeply divisive issues, the film will tackle the subject of homosexuality in a light-hearted manner,” informs a source.

Confirming the news, producer Aanand L Rai told Mirror, “With Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan, we chose to explore a novel subject in an unusual and unexpected setting. And a story like this needed talents like Neena ji and Gajraj Rao.”

While speaking to Mirror earlier (May 9), the filmmaker had revealed that the franchise is their tribute to the churning that keeps our society alive. “Every instalment will deal with a topic that touches every person, but one that no one wants to speak about publicly. Like the first film, this one too will broach a taboo subject but with great sensitivity and light humour. I anticipate a lot of conversations and cheer around the second film too,” he had stated confidently.

While the original was based on the 2013 Tamil film, Kalyana Samayal Saadham, and marked the Bollywood debut of its director R S Prasanna, the sequel will be helmed by Hitesh Kewalya who had written the earlier film.

In Badhaai Ho, the audience had appreciated Neena and Gajraj’s jodi. Her performance fetched her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Critics), while he took home the Black Lady for Best Supporting Actor. The trio had bonded well during the shoot, and talking about the National Awardwinning actress, Ayushmann had admitted that he hadn’t expected to see her playing the role of a mother as she is seen more as a “hot, alpha female”. He was quick to add that Neena is such a powerhouse of talent that she had easily slipped into this earthy and subtle character.