Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 20, 2019)

After Veere Di Wedding (2018), Nikhil Dwivedi is all set for Dabangg 3, which opens today. He is producing the third instalment of the cop franchise with the Khan brothers, Salman and Arbaaz, and admits that movie-making has turned into a collaboration today. “As a producer, one wants to acquire good scripts and established franchises. Dabangg is one of the most successful franchises and it’s kind of Salman and Arbaaz to let me be a part of it. A producer can’t ask for a bigger set-up,” he avers.

Earlier this year, Nikhil was also bringing Salman and Shah Rukh Khan together for a film which Sanjay Leela Bhansali was to direct. Quiz him on the subject and he confirms the project, saying, “Yes, it almost happened. Both SRK and SK had agreed to come together, we were excited about it. But I believe Mr Bhansali wasn’t very happy with the second half of the script and wanted more time to work on it.” Since then, Salman and SLB have had a fallout, right before their 20-year reunion, Inshallah, was to go on the floors. Bhansali has since moved to Gangubai Kathiawadi with Alia Bhatt while Radhe will be Salman’s Eid 2020 release. Is the film likely to be revived in future? “I have my doubts,” he sighs.

Next up, he has an Anurag Kashyap-directed woman-centric revenge-drama, along with a superheroine franchise, Naagin, whch will be directed by Vishal Furia and an adapatation of the book, Battle For Bittora, with his Veere Di Wedding co-producer Rhea Kapoor. There’s also the Abhinav Bindra biopic, featuring Anil Kapoor and son Harsh Varrdhan. Point out that Harsh hasn’t had a good run at the box-office and Nikhil reasons, “He has done just two films and is passionate about his craft. He’ll make his way up soon.”