In May 2023, when filmmaker Raaj Shaandilyaa launched his production house and announced seven films, he chose Sanjay Gadhvi to helm Googly. Unfortunately, on November 19 last year, Gadhvi passed away of a heart attack. Six months on, Shaandilyaa says that he has decided to helm Googly as a tribute to the late director.

“Sanjay was a friend. We looked at many directors, but finally decided that I will helm it. I want to make the movie for him. The script is locked, as is one of the leads. But it will roll only next year, as I have to work on two movies this year,” says the Dream Girl 2 (2023) director.

Shaandilyaa recalls that when he was writing the sports drama, Gadhvi was his first choice. The reason was simple—he appreciated the late filmmaker’s cinematic sensibilities.

“Sanjay helmed the first two instalments of Dhoom, which is one of India’s biggest franchises. He was an intelligent writer-director, who knew each aspect of his craft, and his technical knowledge was phenomenal. Googly is a heart-warming story about a popular sport; it’s not a biopic. While writing it, I called Sanjay and told him that I wanted him at the helm. He came on board immediately and wrote the screenplay with one of my co-writers.”

Currently, Shaandilyaa is busy with his next production, Luv Ki Arrange Marriage, which stars Sunny Singh and Avneet Kaur. He is also readying Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, starring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri, for release.