Junglee Pictures and Roy Kapur Films have produced several concept-driven stories that have received acclaim from critics and audiences alike. The powerhouse studios are now getting together to produce a unique comedy-drama story with a fresh lead pair. Written and directed by Arshad Syed, Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan? brings together Taapsee Pannu and Pratik Gandhi for the first time.

Having made a mark with her impactful performances, Taapsee will be seen playing her first comedy role as a feisty cop. Pratik, who has earned accolades for his performance in Scam 1992, will be seen in a different avatar as the young newly-wedded scion of a ‘masala’ magnate family. The makers have shared an exciting first look of the actors from the film from their current shooting schedule in Jaipur.

Talking about his collaboration with Junglee Pictures, producer and managing director of Roy Kapur Films (RKF), Siddharth Roy Kapur, shares, “We are happy to collaborate with Junglee Pictures, which has a stellar track record of backing unique and entertaining stories. Their excitement around this story was evident right from their unbridled laughter in Arshad’s script narration, and I look forward to a wonderful association ahead of us.”

With upcoming family entertainer films like Badhaai Do and Doctor G, Junglee Pictures has Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan? as the next film in their release slate. Amrita Pandey, CEO, Junglee Pictures, shares, “Arshad has written an intriguing and enjoyable story and we are elated to have collaborated with Roy Kapur Films. Both Taapsee Pannu and Pratik Gandhi have made a huge impact with their work and to have them together in the film is really exciting.”

On playing a cop for the first time, Taapsee says, “Playing a police woman and doing a comedy film has always been on my checklist and I am happy that it is finally ticked off. I had seen Pratik’s work and he is a very talented actor and I am enjoying working with him. Arshad has written an amazing script with great comic quirks and also a lot of heart, which I am looking forward to. I am happy that Junglee Pictures and Roy Kapur Films have collaborated to produce this film. It’s going to be a fun ride!”

On playing a role like this for the first time, Pratik is equally excited to showcase the quirks of his character. He says, “My character is very different from anything I have ever done before, and that is exciting. Taapsee is super talented and I am so thrilled to be working with her. Arshad has a great vision and he has written the story with so much nuance. I am sure the audiences will love it.”

Talking about his directorial debut, Arshad Syed shares, “Having a cast of brilliant actors like Taapsee and Pratik has enriched my cinematic journey. The characters they’re essaying are the comic fodder of our film. Sharing the first glimpse of their characters is exciting for the entire team.”

Junglee Pictures and Roy Kapur Films’ Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan? starring Taapsee Pannu and Pratik Gandhi and written and directed by Arshad Syed, is scheduled for release next year.

Since the smashing success of Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story last year, all eyes have been on Pratik Gandhi, with the audience eager to see him make a splash in Bollywood. Only a month after he announced that he was part of Atithi Bhooto Bhava, the actor has bagged a biggie — he is set to share screen space with Taapsee Pannu in Siddharth Roy Kapur’s production, Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan?

The investigative comedy, directed by Arshad Syed and set in central India, sees Pannu play a feisty cop while Gandhi essays the role of a chauvinistic brat. When the two are compelled to take an unlikely journey together, their opposite personalities clash, leading to a hilarious battle of wits.  

Having a knack for picking characters that have a unique voice, Pannu says the Roy Kapur Films’ venture gives her an opportunity to bring another strong-headed woman to life. “I loved the strong and thoroughly entertaining character that Arshad had written for me. It is exciting to partner with a producer as prolific as Sid, as well as Pratik, whose performance in Scam 1992 left a lasting impression on me.” Gandhi, who is taking baby steps into Hindi cinema, knows only too well that the next few films will be his litmus test. “I was looking to dive into something totally different after Scam 1992, and this role ticked all the boxes,” says the actor.

The movie marks the directorial debut of Syed, who has previously written Adaalat, Student Of The Year 2 (2019) and Breathe: Into The Shadows (2020). The director is currently zeroing in on the rest of the cast before he takes the project on floors by the year-end. The producer adds that he greenlit the film during Syed’s first narration itself. “When Arshad narrated his charming screenplay to us, we instantly knew we had to produce the film. We are excited to work with Taapsee, who brings so much energy to the screen, and Pratik, who blew us away with his performance in Scam 1992.”