It features on every Holi playlist, blaring from speakers around festivities. But composer Pritam has revealed that Balam Pichkari from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013) was not originally conceived as a Holi track.

“Initially, it was not going to be a Holi song,” the 54-year-old says, adding that the change happened after director Ayan Mukerji attended a Holi celebration in 2012. “(Ayan) told us, ‘We have to set this song during Holi. It’ll take the vibe to another level’,” he says.

Over a decade later, Pritam is grateful for the love the song has received. “Balam Pichkari trends at the top almost every Holi,” he says, adding, “If I knew exactly what made it cut across generations, I would probably try to recreate it every time. But honestly, it’s impossible to predict these things.”

Nowadays, he feels that there is a seeming lull in iconic festival tracks. But Pritam insists, “There is always space for a good song. Platforms may change, listening habits may evolve, but emotions don’t.”

In October, mid-day had reported that Ranbir Kapoor is planning to revive the legacy studio, RK Films, which was founded by late filmmaker and his grandfather Raj Kapoor (Jeena yahan, marna yahan, Oct 31). Now, the chatter is that Ranbir has zeroed in on the first film under the banner. Rumours suggest that the actor will reunite with Deepika Padukone for a contemporary reimagining of ‘Chori Chori’ (1956).

Revisiting ‘Chori Chori’, one of the many iconic movies fronted by the legendary actor and filmmaker, would serve as the perfect way to restart the journey of RK Films.

An industry insider says, “There is a lot of excitement in Ranbir’s camp. He wants the RK Films’ comeback movie to feel like something his grandfather would have made, only told in today’s language.”

Ranbir has apparently given the directorial reins to his close friend Ayan Mukerji. The insider adds, “Ayan has been developing the script for months. He doesn’t want to rush it since it’s a prestige project.” 

Murmurs suggest that the love story will be mounted on a big canvas, with a chunk shot in international locations. “It’s possible that the announcement regarding the studio’s revival will be made as early as December 14, which is Raj saab’s birthday. The movie, however, has yet to take concrete shape,” adds the source.

After months of silence on the underwhelming box office showing of War 2, Hrithik Roshan has finally spoken up. The actor, who reprised his role as Kabir in the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War, shared a series of pictures from the shoot on Instagram, along with a candid note.

“Playing Kabir was so much fun. So relaxed, knew him so well. It was going to be easy. Finally a movie I could do like so many others do, keep it simple, play the actor, do your job and come home. And it was exactly that. I was taken care of so well by my director Ayaan. It was such a pleasure to have his energy on set. Everything seemed so perfect. Like it’s meant to be. A sure shot. No worries, just needed to do my job right. Which of course I did,” the 51-year-old wrote in the caption.

Though he did not comment on the film’s reception, Hrithik turned reflective in the latter half of the note. He added, “But something was lurking behind that presumptuous certainty. A voice that I kept shutting out. This is too easy... I know this too well. And another that said I deserve it, every film doesn’t have to be a torture and trauma and an incessant search for the truth of the moment. Relax.”

War 2, an installment in the YRF SpyVerse, was directed by Ayan Mukerji and also starred Kiara Advani, NTR Jr, and Anil Kapoor. On the professional front, Hrithik has Krrish 4 lined up next, which will see him donning the director’s hat.

Ranbir Kapoor rang in his birthday with more than just cake and candles — he gave fans a front-row seat to his life and line-up of movies. During an Instagram live session, the actor dropped big updates: from Animal Park rolling in 2027, to Ramayana, and his much-awaited reunion with Alia Bhatt in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War. The session flowed easily – with the actor talking about his big-screen ambitions to the everyday happiness of being with family.

Ranbir gave an update about Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s much-talked-about sequel to Animal. The actor revealed that Animal Park is expected to go on floors in 2027. “Sandeep has been interacting with me on the idea, the music and the characters. It’s just crazy and I can’t wait to be on set,” shared the actor who turned 43.

The actor also gave everyone a glimpse into his personal life, sharing how he spent the day with wife Alia Bhatt and daughter Raha. “Raha made me a promise that she would give me 43 kisses, and I got that. She made me a beautiful card, which really moved me. It’s been a perfect birthday,” Ranbir said with a smile.

On his birthday, Ranbir took a quick vacation with Alia, Raha and mom Neetu Kapoor, and daughter Raha.

“Had a wonderful birthday last night. The last two days have been great because I was with mother, Alia and Raha. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday,” he shared.

The live chat wasn’t just about films — it was also about what truly inspires him. Ranbir revealed his current mu-sic playlist and said that Barbaad from Saiyaara is a song that “resonates deeply” with him. He also praised the soundtrack of Kalyani Priyadarshan’s superhero film Lokah , describing it as “just excellent.”

When quizzed about his long-discussed directorial ambitions, Ranbir admitted he’s closer than ever to making it happen. “I am dying to direct a movie. I’ve actually started a writer’s room recently and I’m working on two ideas. It’s definitely on my to-do list in the next couple of years,” he shared.

On Brahmastra 2, he assured fans that Ayan Mukerji is busy writing the script and updates will follow soon.

Gone are the days when moviegoers could sit through three-hour films in theatres. So, the makers of War 2 — featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR — internally decided to re-edit the film. Despite receiving official clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on August 6, the film will be resubmitted for clearance with a runtime 170 minutes, down from the original 183 minutes.

“There has been a significant 13-minute reduction. A longer, raw cut was submitted to ensure that the film reaches international territories in a timely fashion, while the VFX work was still being finalised. The shorter theatrical cut is now much more aligned with the makers’ original vision,” shares a source, adding that the team didn’t want to compromise on the pace of the Ayan Mukerji-directed film, especially in the second half.

“To deliver a tighter, more gripping film, it was internally decided that they would edit the film further and resubmit.”

Sources also inform that the makers will submit the post-credit scene separately for certification this week. Rumours are rife that the post-credit scene will star Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt, and Sharvari, among others.

War 2’s teaser gave us a peek into the face-off between Hrithik Roshan’s R&AW agent Kabir Dhaliwal and Jr NTR’s antagonist. As much as the fans loved the teaser, many had a question — ‘How about a glimpse of the two superstars’ dance-off?’ It turns out that the shoot of the much talked about dance-off, which was scheduled for the first week of March (I spy a dance war, March 4), had to be cancelled. Now, mid-day has learnt that director Ayan Mukerji is gearing up to film it in the last week of June.

The track will be filmed at Yash Raj Studio in Andheri, where a massive set will be built in the coming weeks.

A source reveals, “The makers had prepped for about two months and were ready to shoot this song in March. Unfortunately, it had to be cancelled after Hrithik injured his leg. With the superstar having recovered from the injury, the actors will begin their prep from the first week of June. Ayan has lined up a 10-day shoot in June-end, after which it will be a wrap on the spy thriller.”  

War 2, also starring Kiara Advani, is less than three months away from its August 14 release. The source adds that producer Aditya Chopra, and Ayan want to make the song a visual spectacle.

“The dance set-up is grand. A circular has been sent out to the crew about not carrying phones to the set. A 60-member security personnel has been hired to ensure photos don’t make their way online,” states the source.

Hiccups are a given when making a big-budget actioner. Just in March, Hrithik Roshan suffered a major injury while shooting a dance sequence with Jr NTR for the Ayan Mukerji-directed War 2. The accident stalled the shoot for over a month. While Roshan is on track for a speedy recovery, the director recently canned a brief patch sequence near Mazgaon Docks with the rest of the cast.

“The patch shoot was carried out with body doubles and junior artistes. Hrithik is still in recovery, undergoing regular movement training and physiotherapy,” reveals an insider. The source adds, “He’s expected to resume filming towards the end of April once he gets a go-ahead from his medical team.” 

Mukerji is working closely with the team to restructure the remaining schedule around Roshan’s recovery. “Ayan’s back with a laser focus,” shares the source.

Since the delay in March, Mukerji and his team have used the downtime to lock post-production on the completed portions and fine-tune upcoming sequences.

A source says, “The makers are confident about wrapping the film by May. There’s a tight turnaround ahead, but YRF [Yash Raj Films] is used to managing massive schedules. Hrithik is being monitored closely, and the dance scenes will resume only when he’s 100 per cent fit. The film will be released as scheduled on August 14.”

In 2012: Before filming Krrish 3 (2013), Hrithik Roshan had a double slipped disc—so much so that filmmaker-father Rakesh Roshan considered dropping the film entirely.

In 2013: Hrithik Roshan suffered a head injury while performing stunts for Bang Bang (2014), which resulted in a subdural haematoma (a blood clot in the brain).

In early 2016: While shooting for Mohenjo Daro (2016), Hrithik Roshan sprained his ankle, tearing two ligaments, during a hand-to-hand combat sequence.

Mumbai: Veteran actor Deb Mukerji passed away at age 83 at his Juhu residence Friday. He had been hospitalized after suffering an ailment recently.

His powerful performances in 'Ek Baar Mooskura Do', 'Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki', 'Adhikar', 'Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool' and 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar' earned him a special place among the talented Mukerji clan of film artists and directors.

Debu, as he was fondly called, was the younger son of the illustrious Sashadhar Mukherjee of Filmalaya, brother of Joy Mukherjee, and his mother Satirani was Ashok Kumar's sister. Debu's son Ayan Mukerji is a director of renown and his daughter Sunita is married to director Ashutosh Gowariker. Kajol and Rani Mukerji are his nieces.

Often cast as the misunderstood rebel and angry young man, Debu was relegated to second hero even though he had perfected each aspect of his art. His extraordinary dancing skills were evident in 'Milte hi rahenge hum, badlein sau nazaare' (Abhinetri) where he partnered Hema Malini so ably he made her husband Shashi Kapoor jealous. That acting was in Debu's blood became evident in his confrontation scenes with Nutan in 'Main Tulsi..'

As romantic hero he gave his best opposite close friend Tanuja in 'Ek Baar Mooskura Do'. The hurt in his eyes seemed to have inspired Kavi Pradeep's lyrics 'Chal akela chal akela' (Sambandh). And uncle Ashok Kumar's transformation from upright professor to criminal in 'Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool' clearly destroyed his soul.

Debu's last rites were performed at Pavan Hans crematorium in Juhu. Celebrities including Tanuja, Kajol, Jaya and Shweta Bachchan, Karan Johar, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt arrived at son Ayan's residence to offer condolence.

Debu had taken over the mantle as main organizer of his ancestral North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja which is the Mukerji family's Pujo in Juhu. He ably steered it to its 75th anniversary in 2022, where his keen oversight ensured that thousands of devotees went home happy.

Who is a better dancer between Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR? The two superstars’ fans don’t have to pick a side just yet. They can give their verdict after seeing the actors shake a leg together in War 2. mid-day has learnt that starting today, director Ayan Mukerji will shoot a dance-off between Roshan and Jr NTR at Yash Raj Studios in Andheri. The sequence is part of the climax of the espionage thriller, which also stars Kiara Advani.

The dance-off’s idea apparently came from producer Aditya Chopra, who knew that pitting the two accomplished dancers against each other would serve as the movie’s biggest highlight. Chopra, along with Mukerji and choreographer Bosco Martis, then conceptualized the set-piece.

A source says, “While Adi was certain that War 2 would be a stylised actioner, he wanted the two superstars to groove together, since they are known for their energy and smooth moves. In the sequence, Hrithik, who reprises his role of R&AW agent Kabir Dhaliwal, makes his way to the hideout of the antagonist, portrayed by Jr NTR. What follows is an electrifying dance battle that segues into the climactic fight set-piece. The two actors have been rehearsing individually for the past 15 days. The makers have deliberately kept them apart so that when they lock horns in front of the camera, it will look natural.”

A grand set has been built by production designer Amrita Mahal Nakai, and Pritam has composed the fast-paced number. Over 500 dancers will be part of the song.

The source adds, “Knowing that the track will arouse curiosity among fans and the media, Adi has beefed up the security at the location. Phones are not allowed on the set, in a bid to ensure that pictures from the shoot don’t get leaked online. Each unit member has been given a badge to avoid a security breach.” After the song is wrapped up by March 10, War 2—which is the latest instalment in the YRF spy universe—will be almost complete.

Khan has time and again said that Swades is his favourite film in his filmography, but interestingly, he never saw the final product. In a tweet, the actor had said, “Making Swades was such an emotionally overwhelming experience that I never saw the finished product. Didn’t want the feeling to end.” 

Though the film didn’t work commercially, Khan had a gut feeling about it. “I told Ashutosh Gowariker that it won’t work commercially. The film was nobly intended,” he had told Zoom in an interview, adding, “I always say it’s not the manzil but the journey that matters... Swades will always be one of my most special films.”

Swades was inspired by a 90s’ TV show, Love Stories, which had Gowariker act in it. The anthology included an episode titled Vapasi, in which Gowariker played Mohan, an NRI who returns to India for his Kaveri amma, and falls in love with a woman named Geeta. Kaveri amma’s role was played by late actor Kishori Ballal in both the iterations.

Debuting opposite Khan is a dream come true for any actor, and Gayatri Joshi, who played Geeta in Swades, got to experience it. But strangely, it remained the only film in her filmography. A beauty pageant winner who represented India at Miss International in 2000, Joshi tied the knot with businessman Vikas Oberoi and bid adieu to her acting career, barely weeks after the film’s release.

Whoever has seen Swades will never forget the iconic ‘Bijli’ dialogue and the woman who said it. On the film’s 17th anniversary, Gowariker took to social media to reveal how she was chosen from 30 women who auditioned for the character of Dadi Setu. “All had to look up at the camera and say one word – BIJLI! The woman who said it with the most emotion got the part. She was 102.”

Gowariker’s last release before Swades was the 2001 film Lagaan, which was a huge success and even got nominated at the Oscars. So, the expectations were high post that, but Gowariker revealed to The Hollywood Reporter recently that he deliberately went against the expectations: “Swades was not the film people thought I was going to make after Lagaan. People thought my next film would be about football or some such sport. If Lagaan was a drum, Swades was a flute. It was a completely inward journey. If Lagaan was about patriotism, this was about nationalism, which is something that is not external. It’s not drum beating, it’s not jingoism. It’s all internal. You have to feel it.”

- Actor Hrithik Roshan was first offered the role of Mohan Bhargava, and while it finally went to Khan, Roshan and Gowariker went on to work together in Jodhaa Akbar (2008) and Mohenjo Daro (2016).

- Swades was the first Indian film to be shot inside the NASA headquarters and the NASA Research Center in Florida (US).

- Khan reprised Mohan’s role in filmmaker Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra: Part One Shiva (2022). Interestingly, Mukerji had worked as an assistant director on Swades. In yet another reference to the 2004 film, Jawan (2023) saw Khan’s character Azad being raised by Kaveri Amma, played by actor Ridhi Dogra.

- Made on a budget of just Rs. 20 crore, Swades failed to recover it and earned just ₹Rs. 16 crore nett in India.

- The film went on to win two National Film Awards — Mahesh Aney won Best Cinematography, while Udit Narayan bagged Best Male Playback Singer award for Yeh Taara Woh Taara.

When it comes to War 2, the audiences can expect action and then some more. In April, mid-day reported that leading man Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, who plays the antagonist, shot a face-off sequence set inside an aircraft (This flight’s ready to take off, April 12). Now, one hears that the Telugu star is set to film a major action set-piece, starting today. Insiders suggest that it will be one of the key moments in the spy thriller that will establish Jr NTR’s villain as a formidable force.

The elaborate sequence for Ayan Mukerji’s directorial venture will be shot at Yash Raj Studios in Andheri. 

A source tells us, “Ayan wanted Jr NTR’s solo scene to be designed in a way that it highlights the character’s raw power. With that brief, the action choreographer envisioned a fight that sees him take on a gang of 40. The team started shooting early at the set inside the studio, and will be shooting here for the next three days.”

Apparently, Roshan will join the unit later this week as Mukerji will can another action sequence featuring the two stars.

The sequel to the blockbuster War (2019) stars Kiara Advani as the leading lady. Last month, the actor and Roshan wrapped up an Italy schedule where they filmed some romantic numbers (Say sì to Italy, Sep 10).

Action has been the keyword ever since War 2 went on floors in October 2023. While Hrithik Roshan kicked off the shoot in March with an action-packed scene, Jr NTR joined the unit in April and the duo filmed a face-off sequence set in an aircraft (This flight’s ready to take off, April 12). Now, director Ayan Mukerji is shifting gears. mid-day has learnt that the unit will head to Italy, where they will shoot a romantic song featuring the leading man and Kiara Advani from September 18.

Keen-eyed fans would remember that War’s chartbuster Ghungroo was shot on the beaches of Positano in Italy’s Amalfi Coast. This time, even as Mukerji and producer Aditya Chopra have zeroed in on the usual haunts like Venice and Lake Como, they have discovered untapped locations in these places that they plan to bring to the screen.

A source tells us, “The Italy schedule will begin from September 18 and go on for about 15 days. Ayan has allotted the first six days for the song shoot. Considering Hrithik and Kiara are two of the hottest actors in Bollywood today, the director wants the video to do justice to their glamour. The romantic track, composed by Pritam, is being mounted on a lavish scale, and will be shot in exotic locales of Venice, Tuscany, Lake Como, Naples, Amalfi Coast, and Sorrento Peninsula. After the number, the unit will can a high-octane action sequence and some dramatic scenes before flying back to India by early October.”

Roshan and Advani’s fresh pairing is one of the highlights of War 2. The source adds that the makers have, so far, ensured that their images are not leaked in the media— something that they will keep an eye out for during the international schedule too.

“An army of local Italian security has been hired to comb these locations prior to the team’s arrival. They will also be part of the shoot to ensure that no images make their way online,” says the insider.

The sequel, slated to release on August 14 next year, will take the narrative of Roshan’s Kabir Dhaliwal, an R&AW agent gone rogue, forward. After the September stint, the director is expected to conduct two more schedules, an international one and another in Mumbai, before calling it a wrap early next year.

Often, an action film’s high point is the face-off between the hero and the villain. The stakes are only higher when you’ve got superstars Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR locking horns. So, how will their confrontation scene in War 2 play out? Inside an aircraft, from what we’ve heard.

Over the past couple of months, director Ayan Mukerji has been shooting War 2—which takes off from the 2019 original and sees Roshan’s spy-gone-rogue Kabir Dhaliwal on another mission—at a Vile Parle studio with the supporting cast. Yash Raj Films has rented two large floors in the same venue. 

Production designer Rajat Poddarr and his team have built a massive set of an aircraft’s exterior on one floor, while another set reflecting the plane’s plush interior has been constructed on the other—all of this for the big action set-piece that will see Roshan take on Jr NTR’s antagonist.

A source reveals, “The Telugu superstar flew down to Mumbai yesterday. From today, the two actors will shoot the combat scene. Producer Aditya Chopra and Ayan, along with South African action director Franz Spilhaus, conceptualised the sequence that is set in a private jet. The portion will also see them on the roof of the aircraft, and involve aerial action. Jr NTR will sport a new look in the film.” 

After the 10-day schedule is wrapped up, the cast and crew will move to Yash Raj Studios in Andheri for the next leg. Both actors will focus on the espionage thriller for the next three months. What’s lined up for the period? Some talkie portions, and more action. Apparently, the creators are making War 2 more action-oriented than their recent spy offerings, Pathaan (2023) and Tiger 3 (2023).

“Adi and Ayan have hired 11 stunt coordinators from all over the world, including Sunil Rodrigues from India. Each has been entrusted to choreograph one set-piece. Besides the plane sequence, the movie will have chase scenes on trains, yachts, and speedboats,” adds the source. Leading lady Kiara Advani is expected to join the shoot in May.

In War (2019), Hrithik Roshan’s R&AW agent-gone-rogue Kabir Dhaliwal’s covert operations took him from Morocco to Portugal and Italy. So, which countries will the globe-trotting super spy tick off his list in War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji? For starters, Japan. Only this time, instead of Roshan heading to the country, it has come to him.

Sources say that last week, the actor shot an ambitious set-piece for which an elaborate set of a Japanese monastery was built at the YRF Studios in Andheri. The action sequence was choreographed by Se-yeong Oh, who previously worked with the production house on Pathaan (2023).

With War 2, the latest offering in the YRF spy universe, producer Aditya Chopra wanted to up the ante in action, and hence, roped in 12 action directors. The makers were scrambling for ideas to bring something new to the table when it struck them that they haven’t explored the Orient at all in the franchise. It was then decided that an action sequence would be set in a Japanese monastery.

A source reveals, “A huge set was constructed, along the lines of a 300-year-old heritage monastery on a hilltop, by art designer Rajat Poddarr and his team. In the set-piece, Hrithik’s character takes on warrior monks specialised in martial arts. Before shooting the portion, the actor not only trained in martial arts for weeks, but also learnt to use a katana, a Japanese sword. The scene sees him employ hand-to-hand combat as well as katanas.”

Mukerji kicked off the first schedule of War 2 in Spain last October, while the superstar began work on the spy thriller this month. Jr NTR, who plays the antagonist, and leading lady Kiara Advani have yet to join the shoot. Word is that the two superstars will unite in front of the camera sometime in April.

The source adds, “Ayan will begin Jr NTR’s shoot with a deadly face-off between him and Hrithik. It has been planned as a nine-day schedule in India and international locations. Hrithik has allotted the next three months to the thriller as both Aditya and Ayan want to ready it before the year-end.”

What’s the next step for Hrithik Roshan after playing a dedicated Indian Air Force pilot in Fighter? To go rogue. With the aerial action thriller’s release behind him, the superstar is set to kick off work on War 2, which sees him reprise the role of R&AW agent-gone-rogue Kabir Dhaliwal. While director Ayan Mukerji had conducted two brief schedules of the espionage thriller in Spain and Abu Dhabi last year, the upcoming leg in April will be both extensive and decisive. Reason—Roshan will lock horns with Jr NTR, as they film one of the movie’s elaborate fight sequences.

It’s not surprising that producer Aditya Chopra is personally supervising War 2, considering it is a part of the filmmaker’s ambitious spy universe. We hear he, along with Mukerji and the stunt directors, envisioned the action set-piece involving the two superstars.

A source reveals, “Ayan and Aditya are pulling out all stops to make sure that the face-off is a spectacular sequence. The Telugu actor will join the shoot in April-end, after he completes Devara: Part 1. The producer-director duo have planned a nine-day schedule, during which the two actors will shoot the portion that will include hand-to-hand combat and martial arts. While this sequence will  begin on a set in Mumbai, a part of it will be shot in an international locale.” 

Before Roshan tests his strength against Jr NTR, who plays the antagonist, he will shoot his solo portions through the month of April.

The source adds, “Hrithik’s entry scene will be canned at the start of the schedule. The makers have planned an equally massive action entry sequence for Jr NTR as well. Knowing that action will be the USP of War 2, Ayan and Adi have roped in 11 international stunt coordinators, including Steve Brown, Spiro Razatos, Nikita Rozenko and Miguel Juzgado, who worked on Rambo: Last Blood [2019].” 

Leading lady Kiara Advani has yet to face the camera for the project.

It can’t be easy creating Brahmastra’s elaborate world. But since Ranbir Kapoor’s Brahmastra: Part One—Shiva (2022) already laid the foundation, the makers can use it for world-building and directly dive into the writing of Brahmastra: Part Two—Dev.

Sources say that writer-director Ayan Mukerji is planning to kick off the scripting of the fantasy drama by early next year, even as the cast has yet to be finalised. Rumours are rife that Deepika Padukone will play the female lead while Ranveer Singh is being tipped to portray Dev.

Mukerji will have to juggle it with spy thriller War 2, which stars Hrithik Roshan, Kiara Advani and Jr NTR. A source tells us, “The writers for Brahmastra 2 will be locked by January. Ayan is currently busy with War 2, which is being shot in Mumbai. But he wants the scripting of Brahmastra 2 to go on simultaneously.”

This time around, we hear the director is envisioning a tragic love story. The source adds, “The focal point will be Dev and Amrita’s love story, their ideological differences and their great war that ends the film. Ayan is seeing it in an almost operatic manner.”

Inarguably among the most anticipated offerings of Indian cinema, Ayan Mukerji-directed War 2 is set to bring two of the finest stars in the same frame. Shooting for the Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr film, mid-day hears, is expected to kick off in February 2024.

A source reveals, “NTR Jr is currently shooting for his 30th film, directed by Koratala Siva, and will then begin his first schedule for War 2. Aditya Chopra and Ayan have planned a massive action entry shot for him in the film. Shooting for the portions involving Hrithik and him will commence in February in Mumbai over a month-long schedule. The dramatic portions will be canned first, and will be followed with action sequences.”

South African stunt director Franz Spilhaus, and stuntman Spiro Razatos are expected to hop aboard the project along with an Indian action director.

The source adds that while Mukerji has completed the first schedule of the film in Spain last month, the second one will begin in Abu Dhabi, in December. “Like he did for the Spain leg, he is likely to use stunt doubles for the actors in Abu Dhabi too for the scenes that are to be filmed in the absence of the main cast members. Ayan shot high-octane car chase sequences in Spain over two weeks.”

While Roshan will reprise his role as RAW agent Major Kabir Dhaliwal in this offering, NTR Jr is expected to play a “dark and ruthless character”.

Brahmāstra 2 is happening, with Ranbir Kapoor, the lead star of the film, himself having confirmed it.

Dispelling all rumours about what’s happening with the film, Kapoor, asked about the sequel to the fantasy drama, said in a video interaction with fans, “So, Brahmāstra 2 is heavy into writing. We are working on it all the time. It was just last week that Ayan (Mukerji, director of Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva) narrated the film to me. Ayan has gone 10 times bigger than part one [in terms of] his idea, his thought, the characters. He is working on War 2 right now, so the plan is to finish that by mid-next year and we start shooting hopefully by the end of next year or beginning of next to next year. ”

The first film in the Āstraverse had received praise for its VFX and music, but there was criticism around the writing and the lead pair’s chemistry, too, which Kapoor acknowledged. “We’ve really understood the criticism we got for the film. What worked and what didn’t. So, we want to put everything into consideration. From the dialogues to people saying that Shiva and Isha’s chemistry was somewhere missing, there was a lot of criticism that was constructive. So, we are taking that in our stride and trying to go beyond that,” said the 41-year-old.

Over the past few months, War 2 has been hitting headlines for various reasons— from Jr NTR and Kiara Advani joining Hrithik Roshan, to Ayan Mukerji taking up the directorial baton from Siddharth Anand. Now, it’s time for Roshan’s character Kabir, one of the pillars of YRF’s spy universe along with Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan and Salman Khan’s Tiger, to get into action mode. mid-day has learnt that the director has begun pre-production and plans to take the project on floors in October.

So, what’s on the agenda for Roshan’s R&AW agent-gone-rogue character? For starters, Europe. “Ayan will conduct the first schedule in the picturesque locations of Europe with the lead pair. For now, a few Mediterranean countries are being considered. Obviously, it all depends on the team procuring visa, and other travel logistics. Hrithik and Kiara will shoot several action set-pieces during the two-week stint,” reveals a source.

Simultaneously, the production design team will construct elaborate sets in a Mumbai studio for the next leg. “War [2019] was one of Bollywood’s hyper-stylised spy thrillers. Producer Aditya Chopra and Ayan want to up the ante with the sequel. They will have huge sets erected, which will serve as backdrops for high-octane action sequences.”

It will be a relentless stretch for leading man Roshan, who will focus on War 2 from October to January next year, squeezing in a patchwork shoot for Fighter in between. Jr NTR will join the team in the second schedule. While little is known about his role, one can assume, going by the two actors’ social media posts, that his character locks horns with Roshan’s Kabir. As soon as the Mumbai stint is wrapped up, the cast and crew will head to Abu Dhabi in November.

The source adds, “Jr NTR will begin filming portions from November, going on till January. If things go as per Adi and Ayan’s plan, a chunk of the espionage thriller will be completed by early next year.”