Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 14, 2020)

Mirror (June 20) was the first to report that writer-director Ali Abbas Zafar is gearing up to create a superhero universe, to kick off with a woman-centric fantasy-adventure led by Katrina Kaif. This will be followed by Mr India, with the next two films set against the backdrop of mythology and the army. The filmmaker is in Dehradun, prepping up to kick off this ambitious franchise while brainstorming on the best possible way to release his first production, the Ishaan Khatter and Ananya Panday-starrer Khaali Peeli, in the midst of a pandemic.

Ali had also completed the script for another production, set against the backdrop of 1984 riots, triggered by the assassination of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, by two of her Sikh bodyguards.

“Ali has always been attracted to Indian history; both Gunday and Bharat grew from the past. He has wanted to make a film around the ’84 riots for a while and has finally found a subject that has him charged up. Besides producing the period-drama, he is creatively involved with the script,” informed a source, adding that the 38-year-old filmmaker is in talks with Diljit Dosanjh to play the lead. “Ali and the team believe he is best suited to play the role and will bring in local flavour too. Diljit has agreed verbally, with a final narration scheduled in a few months. The idea is to roll as soon as normalcy returns.”

Incidentally, Diljit has acted in a Punjabi film, Punjab 1984, based on ’84 riots, directed by Anurag Singh. It bagged the Best Feature Film in Punjabi at the 62nd National Film Awards. “Diljit is excited to revisit that tumultuous time in Bollywood,” adds the source. The yet-untitled film will mark the directorial debut of one of Ali’s assistants.

With many films opting for a digital release, rumours suggest that Khaali Peeli might go the OTT way, too. The source insists that Ali and his studio partner, Zee Studios, are keen on a theatrical release and willing to hold on to the film for a few months. “It’s an out-and-out commercial entertainer, meant to be viewed on the big screen. The team is wrapping up post-production, after which they will study the situation before taking a call. If cinema halls open and register occupancy, Khaali Peeli will be among the first films to arrive,” the source signed off.