Thursday afternoon brought relief to Saif Ali Khan’s family and fans as the team of doctors at the Lilavati Hospital, following the surgery, issued a statement that the actor “is out of danger”. He had suffered six injuries after being stabbed by an alleged burglar at his Bandra residence in the early hours of January 16. The actor, who is on the road to recovery now, has a packed 2025 ahead. In the next few months, he is expected to kick off promotions for his summer releases, Jewel Thief — The Red Sun Chapter, and Kartavya.

It is heard that Jewel Thief, also starring Jaideep Ahlawat, is targeting a March-end release. An insider tells mid-day, “The heist thriller, which is directed by Robbie Grewal, with certain sequences helmed by Kookie Gulati, was wrapped up late last year. The project has now moved into the final post-production stage. While Saif had finished a chunk of the dubbing in November, he only has two days of dubbing left. The team is likely to begin promotions in mid-March before its March 27 release.” Meanwhile, Kartavya, an OTT film helmed by Pulkit of Bhakshak (2024) fame, is slated to release mid-2025. “The promotions will begin after May,” adds the source.

On the shooting front, Khan’s next will be Race 4 that is expected to roll in August. A source says, “The producers are currently finalizing a director.” The actor also has Priyadarshan’s yet-untitled next and Devara: Part 2 in his kitty.

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On Friday, Saif Ali Khan, who suffered multiple injuries after he was stabbed by an intruder in his Bandra residence a day earlier, was shifted out of the intensive care unit of Lilavati Hospital. The actor has been advised rest and restricted movement for a week by his team of doctors. With Khan’s recovery being the top priority of his family and collaborators, we have heard that director Rahul Dholakia and producer Nikkhil Advani have deferred their yet-untitled Netflix film with him that was to kick off on January 20.

Sources tell us that a set was built at Madh Island for the project that also stars Pratik Gandhi and Deepak Dobriyal. But in light of recent events, the makers informed the team that the shoot has been pushed until he recuperates. A unit hand tells us, “Originally, we were supposed to shoot in April, but because things progressed fast, the filming was advanced to January 20. Given the unfortunate incident, the team has reverted to the original plan of shooting by March-end or early April. It can be pushed further ahead as the makers want to give Saif sir as much time as he wants for his recovery. After he has healed, Nikkhil sir and Rahul sir will meet him and chalk out the plan as per his convenience.”

The film is reportedly a historical drama chronicling India’s first general elections that were held between October 1951 and February 1952. Khan will portray Sukumar Sen, India’s first Chief Election Commissioner, who played a pivotal role in executing the country’s landmark democratic process.