Sources say Chris Hemsworth to fly down to Mumbai on October 20 for Netflix film Dhaka's week-long patchwork shoot
MID-DAY (October 11, 2019)

Late last year, Chris Hemsworth had taken India by storm when he shot for the Netflix film, Dhaka, across Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Now, mid-day has learnt that come October 20, the Thor star will return to Mumbai for the patchwork shoot of the movie, which also stars Randeep Hooda, Manoj Bajpayee and Pankaj Tripathi.

A source reveals, "The unit has planned a week-long schedule across Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The film's cast, comprising Indian and Hollywood actors, has been called upon to allot their dates. With Hemsworth expected in the city by October 20, the ensemble cast has been asked to dedicate the last two weeks of October to the Sam Hargrave-directed project. The team will shoot at the places they had covered the first time around, including Dharavi and Byculla in the city, and a few pockets of Ahmedabad. They may also have a brief two-day stint in Indonesia. If all goes as planned, it will be a wrap before October 30." The kidnap extraction drama is produced by the Russo Brothers.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 10, 2019)

Six years after Shootout At Wadala (2013), buzz is that Ekta Kapoor and her team of writers are giving shape to the third instalment in the series. As the tentative title Shootout At Byculla suggests, the crime thriller will be set in the South Mumbai address and will apparently be an amalgamation of several encounters that have taken place in the city.

A source reveals, "The makers were going back and forth over the last few months regarding the story and have finally reached a consensus. Unlike the previous two offerings, this film will not be based on a specific incident. Instead, the writers have taken inspiration from several encounters in Mumbai, and have even referred to S Hussain Zaidi’s book, Byculla To Bangkok, while developing the material. While Sanjay Gupta will helm the actioner, the cast is yet to be determined. It is heard that Sanjay is keen to bring the cast of the first two instalments together in this outing. If all goes as planned, the project will roll in the first quarter of 2020."

mid-day lays its hands on an exclusive picture of Chris Hemsworth shooting action sequence with Randeep Hooda in Ahmedabad; superstar arrives in Mumbai today
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 17, 2018)

The shoot of the Netflix offering, Dhaka, in Ahmedabad has been the subject of much interest, courtesy its lead actor Chris Hemsworth (Avengers: Infinity War, Star Trek). With the unit filming an action sequence featuring Hemsworth and Randeep Hooda over the past few days, mid-day stumbled upon a picture from the set.

A unit hand reveals, "While Chris plays a mercenary who has been hired to rescue a kidnapped child, Randeep essays the role of a gangster. The action sequence comes at a crucial point in the narrative. Chris and Randeep practised for the scene extensively before filming it. To ensure that the crowd didn't encroach the set, the area was cordoned off. Since the film is set in Dhaka, a makeshift set was created with signages in Bengali." With Hooda having recently joined the unit, the source adds that he has struck up a friendship with Hemsworth over their common passion - fitness.

Meanwhile, Hemsworth's fans in Mumbai can brace themselves as the Thor star landed in the city in the wee hours of the morning. Intense security arrangements have been deployed to ensure a smooth stay. "Since the unit is expected to shoot in Dharavi and Byculla, his stay will be spread across two hotels, thus ensuring that he has an easy commute to and from the sets. The team will be staying at a sea-facing hotel in Nariman Point during their Byculla schedule. They are yet to zero in on the other hotel. The security detail is taking extra precautions after a fan broke into the gym to meet the star in Ahmedabad."

Hemsworth is also expected to interact with the local media next week after the producers make the film's official announcement.