Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 4, 2020)

There’s no doubt that the Coronavirus induced lockdown has thrown showbiz — like every other sector — into total disarray. Not just film shoots, post production work has also suffered in equal measure. And thanks to that, Shoojit Sircar-directed Sardar Udham Singh has had a direct effect on it. The Vicky Kaushal-starrer, which had booked a release date — January 15 — even before the Covid-19 pandemic, now seems set to miss its date with the box office, due to Coronavirus.

Although the film’s shoot was completed way before the lockdown came into force, makers admit that the ongoing situation has “compelled them to get slow” vis-à-vis edit and other post production work, which is taking place on a “remote basis.” An insider says: “Both Shoojit-da [Sircar; producer/director] and Ronnie [Lahiri; co-producer] ensure that all the requisite precautions stipulated by the government is followed. Currently, two people are working on the edit, mostly from home. And since Shoojit-da is overlooking everything closely from Kolkata, it takes time, especially when it comes to co-ordination.”

Earlier, makers had planned an October release but due to the pandemic, they shifted it to January next year. But now, they admit “meeting that deadline looks next to impossible” as they lost close to two months due to the pandemic. “Now, makers have to finish the edit, followed by special effects work and also music. All of it will take time, and makers are in no hurry as they want to come up with the best possible product, instead of serving up a half-cooked film,” says the insider.

That’s why, sources maintain that a January release for Sardar Udham Singh is “unlikely.” When contacted, Sircar told us: “Yes, we have gone a bit slow due to the prevailing situation. So, the film may not come out in January. And honestly, as of now, we don’t have a clear release date or window in our minds. The entire focus is on doing full justice to our film.”