Showing posts with label Deepak Mukut. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Deepak Mukut. Show all posts
Gunmaaster G9 shoot briefly disrupted when a prop sign board sparked outrage in Haridwar
10:03 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 13, 2026)
Lights, camera, commotion. What began as a routine film shoot in Haridwar turned into a public uproar when locals mistook a movie set for a real bar. On Wednesday (June 10), a crowd disrupted the shoot of a scene for Emraan Hashmi-starrer Gunmaaster G9 after spotting a sign board that read ‘Bar and Café’ in the holy city.
Aparshakti Khurana was filming at Bhatia Bhawan in Shravan Nath Nagar when locals gathered at the location and objected to the apparent opening of a bar. The protest gained momentum after videos from the set circulated online, as meat, eggs, and alcohol are prohibited in Haridwar.
“We go to shoot scenes with necessary props, at places without any intention of hurting anybody’s feelings. We always respect the system and follow all the rules. After speaking to the local people, we sorted it out,” said producer Deepak Mukut, who was taken aback by the accusations. He shared that, as a Hindu, he would never consider opening a bar in Haridwar.
“We are also Hindus and we respect the sentiments of everybody. Then we explained to them that it’s a film shoot,” he added. To calm tensions, the makers removed the word ‘Bar’ from the signboard and kept it only as ‘Café’.
Although the production had secured the necessary permissions, locals were reportedly unaware that a film shoot was underway. After wrapping up in Haridwar, the team heads to Mussoorie, Rishikesh, and Delhi.
“A little bit of patchwork is left in Mumbai. The film will be completed in the first week of July with only a couple of songs remaining. [Paired opposite Hashmi], Genelia [Deshmukh] will join after the 20th of June,” explained the producer of the spy thriller.
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Locals reportedly objected to a signboard on the film’s set that carried the word ‘bar’, alleging that it hurt religious sentiments in the holy city
HINDUSTAN TIMES (June 13, 2026)
A video surfaced on social media on Thursday, showing trouble in Haridwar, Uttarakhand during the filming of actor Emraan Hashmi’s next project. According to reports, the controversy started after locals took offence at a signboard reading “Cafe & Bar”, which was part of the on-location set.
The clip showed residents engaged in a heated debate with the crew, including security personnel and members of the production team, objecting to the word “Bar” on the signboard, and arguing that it was inappropriate for a city like Haridwar. They alleged that it hurt religious sentiments and diminished the city’s spiritual significance. Hashmi was nowhere to be seen in the footage.
According to local reports, the dispute was finally resolved when the crew agreed to remove the word “Bar” from the signboard, satisfying the protestors and allowing the shoot to resume.
Meanwhile, several videos of Hashmi meeting fans in Uttarakhand also surfaced on social media. The actor did not issue any statement regarding the reported protest on the set till the time of going to press. There is also still no official confirmation about the title of the film or the team behind the project.
It's an action-packed year for Sunny Deol with five back-to-back releases in 2026
10:24 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; March 2, 2026)
Riding high on the hit status of Border 2, Sunny Deol is set to juggle five releases this year, with four films arriving in quick succession. While Gabru is slated for May 8, followed by Ikka, which may stream on Netflix from June, another of Deol’s movies, Soorya, has finally been completed and the team is looking at a June or July release. Aamir Khan’s Lahore 1947 is scheduled for August 13, while Ramayana is expected to arrive in November.
A trade source tells mid-day, “It is a golden year for Sunny Deol with five confirmed releases lined up. Though each genre is different, will the audiences be able to take in so many of his movies at the same time? Some movies may need to be reshuffled. Though Gabru which was being planned as a direct-to-OTT release will now arrive in cinemas on May 8. Described as the Satyakaam [1969] of Sunny’s career, it has been directed by Shashank Udapurkar and has Salman Khan in a cameo. Sunny plays a middle-aged family man who wants to live the rest of his life meaningfully through his service to humanity.”
Producer Deepak Mukut says of Soorya, “The film is complete. Now it’s in the post-production phase. Once that gets done, we will finalize the release date. We are looking for a good date in the month of June or July, as we want to showcase it well.”
I was planning Do Aur Do Paanch's remake starring Abhishek Bachchan, Bobby Deol-Deepak Mukut
10:09 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 26, 2026)
Rumours had abounded for weeks that Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal 5 is inspired by Do Aur Do Paanch (1980). Earlier this month, the filmmaker dismissed these reports. Now, it looks like we may get a movie bearing a connection to the Amitabh Bachchan and late Shashi Kapoor-starrer, not from Shetty’s stable, but from producer Deepak Mukut. The producer revealed to mid-day that the project is at the scripting stage.
Mukut, who has the rights to the 1980 original, shared, “A decade ago, I was planning a remake with Kunal Kohli as the director, and Abhishek [Bachchan] and Bobby Deol playing Bachchan ji and Shashi Kapoor’s roles [respectively]. At that time, it could not materialize.”
The producer is now giving a second shot to the project. “I haven’t [decided] whether the movie will be inspired by, a remake, or a sequel to Do Aur Do Paanch. Ideally, I’d like to cast Abhishek and Bobby again as they look great together on screen,” he said.
The rumours surrounding Golmaal 5 had reached Mukut too, who immediately took action. He recalled, “I put the notice in a trade magazine, so that no one else can remake or be inspired by it. I own Do Aur Do Paanch’s rights.”
In early February, Rohit Shetty shut down rumours of ‘Golmaal 5’ being inspired by ‘Do Aur Do Paanch’. The filmmaker stated that the reports “are factually incorrect, misleading, and completely untrue”.
Anil Kapoor to headline Nayak sequel, reveals producer Deepak Mukut
11:11 PM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; January 6, 2026)
Producer Deepak Mukut has reacted for the first time to reports suggesting that he has sold the rights of Nayak to Anil Kapoor for a proposed sequel. Dismissing the speculation, Mukut told Bombay Times that the sequel is being developed jointly and that there has been no standalone transfer of rights.
“I won’t be able to talk much but I can only say that we are doing it together. We are fine with all the rumours, but we are doing it together. It is under process. We will announce it shortly,” Mukut said, addressing the chatter around the project.
Speaking about revisiting the 2001 political drama, the producer stressed the emotional and cultural weight attached to Nayak. “It is a legacy project. It’s been almost 25 years. Every film has its own destiny. When the time comes, it happens. And we realised it is a good time to do it now. We had an understanding and we are doing it together, beyond that I won’t be able to speak,” he added.
When asked about timelines, Mukut made it clear that the makers are proceeding cautiously. “Once the script is locked. Nayak is a big legacy so we will only go on floors when everything is fixed. We are trying for this year,” he said.
Directed by S Shankar, Nayak: The Real Hero starred Anil Kapoor in the role of Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, a television cameraman who is unexpectedly sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a day, only to take on systemic corruption with sweeping reforms. The film also featured Rani Mukerji, Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal and Johnny Lever in pivotal roles. An official remake of Shankar’s Tamil blockbuster Mudhalvan (1999), Nayak went on to gain a cult following over the years.
While talks of a sequel have surfaced multiple times over the years, the issue of who currently holds the rights to Nayak remains ambiguous, with neither side spelling out the exact legal ownership. For now, Mukut maintains that the sequel is a collaborative effort and that an official announcement will be made once the groundwork is complete.
Apne 2 will be made and it will be a tribute to Dharmendra-Deepak Mukut
9:05 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 2, 2025)
Imagining the world of Apne (2007) without Dharmendra is hard not only for the legend’s fans, but also for producer Deepak Mukut and director Anil Sharma. In fact, after the veteran actor’s demise on November 24, Sharma, in a media interaction, said that Apne 2 would be shelved. However, the latest update is that the sequel — starring Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and Karan Deol — is being rewritten since the script originally had Dharmendra in a pivotal role.
Talking to mid-day, Mukut reveals that he had narrated the script to Dharmendra only a few months ago. The veteran actor was gung-ho about reuniting with his sons on the silver screen, and more importantly, about sharing screen space with his grandson Karan.
He shares, “Dharam ji was very excited about the sequel. It was one of his wishes to make Apne 2 with his children. We are reworking the script now, which will be told from the point of view of Sunny and Bobby’s characters. There will be some changes as Dharam ji is no more, and we’ll miss him dearly. We are working on incorporating Dharam ji’s character in some way.”
The second instalment will be the producer’s “shraddhanjali” to the late actor. “If I cannot make a movie with Dharam ji, I can pay my respects to him through it. Apne 2 will be made and it will be a tribute to Dharam ji,” emphasizes Mukut.
A family drama, Apne told the story of Dharmendra’s Baldev Singh Choudhary, who hoped to regain his lost glory as a boxer through his sons. The next edition will take the original story forward. “It is a continuation of the original, and Karan will be introduced as Angad’s [Sunny’s character] son,” reveals the producer. One wonders why Sharma announced shelving the sequel when work on it is ongoing.
Ask Mukut, and he says, “I don’t know why Anil said it. When I asked him, he flatly denied having said that the sequel is shelved.”
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Dharmendra and Sunny Deol appeared together in ‘Sultanat’ (1986) and ‘Kshatriya’ (1993). The veteran actor had a cameo in ‘Sunny’ (1984), but didn’t share screen space with his son.
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‘Apne’ was the first film that saw Dharmendra share screen space with his sons Sunny and Bobby Deol. The trio then appeared in the ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’ franchise, which had three instalments.
Gunmaster G9 producer reveals Riteish Deshmukh convinced Genelia to do the Emraan Hashmi starrer
3:54 PM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 4, 2025)
Think Genelia Deshmukh, and you immediately think of her bubbly roles. But producer Deepak Mukut says that will change with Gunmaaster G9, led by Emraan Hashmi and Genelia. The action entertainer, which went on floors in Mumbai in August, will see the leading lady in a fierce avatar as she stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Hashmi and takes on baddies.
“Genelia is the surprise element of the movie,” starts Mukut, before divulging how the actor’s husband Riteish Deshmukh played a role in her signing the movie. “Riteish, who is an actor and director himself, told her she must do the film. Ghar ki bahu khana pakati hai, but if gangsters come home, what will she do? Here, she is not your sweet, docile homemaker. When her family is harmed, she can become Durga too. So, we’ll get to see her doing plenty of action.”
A 22-year career so far has given Genelia the opportunity to not only star in some memorable movies like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008) and the recent Sitaare Zameen Par, but also straddle Bollywood with regional offerings. Now, with Aditya Datt’s directorial venture, the actor is happy to break away from her girl-next-door image.
“In Gunmaaster G9, I have a lot of scope to perform as it is a layered role, unlike what I have done earlier. I am happy to get genres that I’d never be approached for before,” she says.
While Datt took the actioner on floors in August with a five-day schedule, the unit is currently on a break. The team will regroup in October for an extensive schedule. Mukut elaborates,
“After Diwali, we will do a start-to-finish shoot in Haridwar and Mussourie. By November, we should complete the shoot and be ready for an early 2026 release. Aditya and Emraan made a great combination in Aashiq Banaya Aapne [2005]. You’ll see the Emraan we used to like earlier — doing romance, action, and hit songs.”
Sunny Deol completes shooting the climax of Soorya three years after the film went on floors
10:45 PM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 1, 2025)
Inarguably, Sunny Deol has a promising line-up of films with Lahore 1947, Border 2, and Ramayana. Amid this, the senior actor, however, hasn’t forgotten his prior commitment. Deol, who had shot a chunk of Soorya in 2022, returned to the world of M Padmakumar’s thriller in August as they began filming the climax. He aims to wrap up the movie by mid-September.
An official adaptation of the Malayalam film Joseph (2018), Soorya — which had gone on floors in Jaipur in the summer of 2022 — sees Deol as a retired cop, who unexpectedly gets pulled into a murder investigation that leads him to discover an organ harvesting racket. Talking to mid-day, producer Deepak Mukut said that they are currently filming the climactic action sequences with Deol, Ravi Kishan, and Manish Wadhwa in Vile Parle.
“We are shooting a massive action scene on a set, reflecting a hospital, constructed at the Golden Tobacco Factory. Action director Ravi Varma is executing it along with a unit of over 350 people. It’s a hand-to-hand combat scene featuring Sunny,” he shared.
From September 1, the unit will shift their focus to a critical courtroom sequence. Mukut added, “In the film, Sunny has to fight a case. So, he is back to his Damini [1993] avatar, doing lots of action and mouthing dramatic dialogues as he seeks justice. This leg will be filmed on a set, in Naigaon perhaps.”
Soon after, the unit will fly out to Jaipur for the final 10-day schedule. “After that, we will begin post-production. We may release a teaser and trailer this year as we plan to release Soorya in early 2026.”
A three-year wait to wrap up the project can be discouraging, but Mukut noted that he found a supportive collaborator in the leading man. Even as Deol was busy with Jaat, Lahore 1947, and Border 2, he was involved in the movie’s creative process. The producer added, “It’s all about being patient. I had other commitments too, including The Bhootnii.”
Uttarakhand rains delay Emraan Hashmi and Himesh Reshammiya's Gunmaaster G9 schedule to September
10:59 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 16, 2025)
On July 9, as soon as Gunmaaster G9 was announced, social media went into overdrive, cheering the reunion of Emraan Hashmi and Himesh Reshammiya, who composed many of the actor’s chartbusters in the early 2000s. But the Aditya Datt-directed action thriller has hit a roadblock right at the start. While the Hashmi and Genelia Deshmukh-starrer was to roll in a village near Rishikesh in Uttarakhand by mid-July, the makers have called off the schedule in light of the heavy rains that battered North India last week.
The call was taken to ensure the safety of the cast and crew, says Datt. “The situation in North India, especially Uttarakhand and even Delhi, has been quite serious. While our team was eager to push forward, for me, the safety of my crew comes first. We’re dealing with real [locations], not sets, and the risk factor becomes too high in such weather.”
The team has reworked the shoot dates. Now, Gunmaaster G9 will roll only in September. “We’d rather wait and shoot with full intensity once the skies clear,” states Datt.
The decision may have resulted in a six-week delay for the project, but producer Deepak Mukut is unfazed. He says, “We’ve all seen how the rains have wreaked havoc, [resulting in] road closures, flooding, and landslides. It’s not the right time to shoot. We made this decision unanimously.”
Mawra Hocane disappears from Sanam Teri Kasam album art
10:31 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 13, 2025)
Not just social media accounts, Pakistani artistes are now being removed from film music albums. On Monday, HT City observed that the album art for Sanam Teri Kasam (2016), featuring Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra Hocane now only depicts the former.
Producer Deepak Mukut said, “They didn’t ask me, it’s their decision.” As for Harshvardhan, he told us, “Now they will say that my PR team got this done! I assume, weeding is being exercised.”
This has also been observed with the Zaalima from Shah Rukh Khan and Pakistani actor Mahira Khan’s 2017 film Raees. The song cover across Spotify, YouTube and YouTube Music now features SRK solo.
Deepak Mukut is a dear friend; I had dinner with him on Monday night-Vinay Sapru
10:48 AM
STK director Vinay Sapru says there’s no clash with producer Deepak Mukut over the film’s sequel
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 19, 2025)
With its re-release, director duo Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru’s 2016 film Sanam Teri Kasam (STK) is finally receiving the recognition that eluded it nine years ago. The film, which starred Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra, has garnered attention once again, leading the directors to announce that Sanam Teri Kasam 2 is currently in the works. However, the announcement did not sit well with producer Deepak Mukut, who publicly stated that the film’s intellectual property (IP) rights belong to him and that the duo should have consulted him before making such an announcement.
The directors clarify that there are no hard feelings between the trio. Vinay tells us, “We had written the second part of STK, too, back then. We wanted to go ahead with it, but couldn’t. This (confusion) has been happening because of the [media] interviews.”
He continues, “I want to put it on record once and for all: There will be another story of love and promises that will arrive on V-Day in 2026, but we didn’t announce a film. How can I be so selfish to announce? Deepak is a dear friend; I had dinner with him on Monday night.”
Ask if Deepak would produce the sequel to STK, Vinay confidently responds, “Why do you feel otherwise? We are a team. This journey is for all of us.”
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“The IP of Sanam Teri Kasam belongs to me since I am its producer. So, the rights to make a sequel or even a prequel or a remake rests with me. As for the directors, I haven’t had any discussion with them.”
-Deepak Mukut
Sanam Teri Kasam's re-release proves to be financial success: "Initial release had resulted in Rs 25 crore loss"
3:15 PM
With Sanam Teri Kasam re-releasing in 400 screens, trade analysts expect an increase in shows amid the film’s unexpected popularity and low buzz around new movies
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 8, 2025)
It’s almost impossible to predict the box office. The film industry saw it last year as the audience warmly welcomed re-releases, with Laila Majnu —a washout upon its original release in 2018—becoming a hit during its second run. It looks like Sanam Teri Kasam (2016) may have a similar fate. As the Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra Hocane-starrer re-released yesterday, producer Deepak Mukut said that the film’s screen count was originally finalized at 60, but was increased after seeing the audience demand.
“We had no plans to re-release the film, but about 70 fans came to our office and requested that we release it in the Valentine week. Initially, I was very unsure as the competition is high with Deva, and Loveyapa,” said Mukut, adding that the strong advance booking on online booking platforms has left him surprised.
“While the film’s 2016 release had resulted in a Rs 25 crore loss, the re-release has proven to be a financial success. We have almost 400 screens across 350 cinemas. Exhibitors have been increasing shows organically.”
While the love story had a poor run on its release, it gained a following over the years after its OTT release. But that isn’t the only factor driving its opening in theatres. Trade expert Girish Wankhede says the lack of buzz around the new movies has further helped it.
Wankhede says, “Badass Ravi Kumar is doing reasonably well, but Loveyapa has started slow. The new releases aren’t tracking as well. Sanam Teri Kasam has opened well. One can predict only after Saturday how many screens it will be increased to.”
Bihar-based exhibitor Vishek Chauhan says that while he had allotted one show during advance booking in his theatres in Patna and Gaya, he increased it to 80 by the time the film opened yesterday. “[After the rise in shows], I traced back and figured that a few months ago, some influencers convinced the producer to re-release the film. With Friday being Rose Day and Valentine’s Day around the corner, young people, who had never watched it in a theatre, made it a FOMO experience. This isn’t a case of corporate booking, young couples are coming to the film. Our Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows are sold out. So far, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani [2013] opened the highest at Rs 1.5 crore, among re-releases. This one can be estimated to go as big as Rs 8 crore. Loveyapa will struggle to make it to Rs 1.5 crore,” he says.
Fans should voice their expectations from Sanam Teri Kasam 2-Harshvardhan Rane
8:27 AM
Yashika Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 16, 2024)
The sequel to Sanam Teri Kasam was announced recently on Instagram. And the lead of the 2016 film, actor Harshvardhan Rane, credits fans — who dedicatedly urged the producers to start work on a sequel to the film — for making it possible. The cult romance was also loved by audiences for his music, composed by Himesh Reshammiya.
Rane, who will be seen leading the love story, says, “I congratulate the fans for this accomplishment. They made this happen by tagging the producer online to make part two and re-release the first part of the film,” beams the actor.
When asked what the fans should expect from the sequel of the film, which is expected to re-release in theatres in October, the 40-year-old jokes that letting the fans decide might not be a bad idea. “I feel fans should voice their expectations from part two, too, to the producer, Deepak Mukut sir. He might be listening, you never know,” he quips.
The first film starred Pakistani actor Mawra Hocane in the lead, but it is unclear if she, too, will reprise her role as Saraswati, in the sequel, considering the character died in the first film
A source close to the production reveals, “The film has just been announced. The makers are first going to lock in a good director. After that the focus will go on the leading lady. Nothing has been decided on that yet.”
As Sunny Deol wraps up Lahore 1947, actor to resume shoot of Soorya after two years
8:08 AM
After Sunny wraps up Lahore 1947, maker looks forward to actor resuming shoot of Soorya that rolled in 2022
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 15, 2024)
What’s next for Sunny Deol after the smashing success of Gadar 2: The Katha Continues (2023), and a promising project in Lahore 1947? From what we hear, the actor will face the camera for Soorya, a crime drama that he had started in 2022. Sources tell us that Deol plans to wrap up Kamal Mukut’s production by November after which he will turn to Border 2.
Soorya, directed by M Padmakumar, is an official adaptation of the Malayalam film, Joseph (2018). The remake will see Deol as a retired cop, who gets pulled in to investigate a murder case that leads him to uncover an organ harvesting racket. While the film had originally gone on floors in Jaipur in 2022, the team hopes to regroup as soon as Deol wraps up Lahore 1947.
Mukut’s son Deepak says, “We have completed over 80 per cent of the film. Sunny will complete the shoot very soon.”
The two-year wait must not have been easy on the makers, but Deepak says one needs to be patient. “He was busy with other projects, and we were trying to work out the dates. We have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the Deol family since ages, and it’s fine that Sunny couldn’t shoot for our film earlier. We understand his compulsions.”
Deepak reveals that Deol had watched Joseph after he was offered the remake, and immediately came on board with a simple request—that the film be made as gritty as the original. “Sunny is also involved in the creative process. His relationship with us is far more important [than a film]. We’ll wait for him.”
Sanjay Dutt plays a gadget-wielding ghostbuster in horror comedy The Virgin Tree
8:06 AM
Sanjay Dutt plays a gadget-wielding ghostbuster in his first horror comedy, The Virgin Tree; film being readied for August release
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 7, 2024)
Action, drama, romance, comedy— name any genre, and Sanjay Dutt has explored it in his 43-year career. A horror comedy though has been starkly missing from his filmography. The Virgin Tree, his next co-production, fills that gap. While the project was announced in late 2022, we now hear that it’s being readied for an August release.
The actor, who has been relishing his antagonist roles in south movies of late, will switch gears and play a ghostbuster in the movie. Producer Deepak Mukut shares, “Apart from being a horror-comedy, the film is a musical too. The genre of horror is doing well today. Sanjay plays a ghostbuster, and his character has lots of gadgets that he uses to hunt down spirits. The story revolves around a mysterious tree with supernatural forces.”
With debutant director Sidhaant Sachdev at the helm, the film stars Mouni Roy and Palak Tiwari. Mukut reveals that Dutt brought the story to him.
“When I approached Sanju for a music video a few years back, he narrated the story to me and asked whether we could collaborate on it. We then finalized the script, cast and director. Sidhaant was an associate of Vikram Bhatt, who is an expert in the horror genre.”
While The Virgin Tree is the working title, the producer says the team arrived at the name, owing to its pun. “The ‘vir’ refers to vardaan, which is a blessing in Hindi. The ‘gin’ [is a play on] djinn. So, it is actually The Var-djinn Tree, but we are planning to change the English title. We want something massy.”
We have a couple of directors in mind for Nayak 2, but nobody has been finalized-Deepak Mukut
8:28 AM
Sequel to Nayak, which saw Anil’s character being CM for a day, in the works; maker says it will begin where political film ended, with leads expected to reprise their roles
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 17, 2024)
Can an honest man change the governance system? Director S Shankar explored that idea with his debut Hindi film, Nayak: The Real Hero (2001), led by Anil Kapoor. Over 23 years on, the political thriller is set to have a sequel. Deepak Mukut, who previously produced Dhaakad (2022) and Thank God (2022), has bought the rights—including that of intellectual property, adaptation, and copyright of prequel and sequel—of the 2001 film from its producer AM Rathnam. Work on the sequel’s script is underway.
A remake of Tamil movie Mudhalvan (1999), Nayak told the story of Kapoor’s TV presenter character Shivaji, who is challenged by the state’s chief minister—essayed by the late Amrish Puri—to take over his job for a day. Shivaji, in his short term, gains tremendous popularity as he brings about much-needed changes and takes a hard stand against corruption. The film ended with the protagonist being elected as the chief minister and the state developing under his governance. So, what will Nayak 2 revolve around?
A source tells us that the second instalment will take off where the first part ended. “The film will examine what happens to Shivaji and his family after he has been in power. It will again explore themes of corruption, bureaucracy, and above all, the power of people.”
Producer Mukut confirms the project’s development, and says that the team hopes to make an announcement soon. The script is being penned in such a way that Kapoor and Rani Mukerji are expected to reprise their roles, while other actors will be brought in to essay principal characters.
“We are planning the sequel, and taking the story forward with the [existing] characters. I bought the rights a long time ago from producer A M Rathnam. We are writing the script right now with the leads in mind and [incorporating] other actors too. As soon as the writing is complete, we’ll decide the way ahead. We have a couple of directors in mind, but nobody has been finalized,” he shares.
Mukut has initiated discussions with Kapoor and Mukerji, but they are in the nascent stage. “We’re in talks with some actors. As far as introducing actors [into the film’s universe] is concerned, it depends on how the characters shape up and who will suit them.”
Sangeeth Sivan and I had we saw Blind Game together last week-Deepak Mukut
8:30 AM
Producer Mukut reminisces working with the late filmmaker Sivan on the Arjun Rampal and Priyamani-starrer Blind Game
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 12, 2024)
Filmmaker Sangeeth Sivan passed away on May 8 due to a heart attack. Known for hits like Vyooham (1990), Yoddha (1992) and Gandharvam (1993) in the Malayalam film industry, the director had helmed comic capers Kya Kool Hain Hum (2005) and Apna Sapna Money Money (2006), among others, in Bollywood.
Few know that he had recently completed Blind Game, starring Arjun Rampal, Priyamani and Rohit Chandel. The crime thriller, revolving around a cop on a mission, was being readied for release in the next few months.
Blind Game producer Deepak Mukut remembers Sivan as a humble, soft-spoken person and a fantastic director. “Sangeeth was a gem of a person, and it had been a great experience working with him. He was an actor’s director, who gave his artistes the freedom to act the way they interpreted their roles. He was a fast director who shot quickly. His passing came as a big shock to us all,” he says.
Mukut says he learnt about Sivan’s ill-health only a few days ago. “We were in touch with Sangeeth’s family.”
Sivan had taken the crime thriller on floors in December 2022, shooting it across Mumbai and Manali. Mukut is heartbroken that the director is no more.
“Blind Game, which is a suspense thriller, was his last film and we were gearing up for its release in the next couple of months. The film is complete, including the post-production. Sangeeth and I had a meeting only last week in Mumbai, and we saw the film together. We discussed the promotional strategies too. It is sad to continue without him. We will dedicate Blind Game to Sangeeth.”
Arjun Rampal, Priyamani and Deepak Mukut
Dhaakad producer clarifies on reports of him selling office to pay dues
8:36 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (July 7, 2022)
Deepak Mukut, the producer of Kangana Ranaut-starrer Dhaakad, has finally opened up about the box-office failure of the film, directed by Rajneesh Ghai, and also clarified about rumours that he had to sell his office to pay dues.
He told Indian Express, “We made Dhaakad with a lot of conviction and it was a very well made film. I don’t know what went wrong, but I would like to believe that it’s people’s choice, what they accept and what they want to watch as well. But according to us, we feel proud to have made a good, female-led spy action thriller, a genre less explored, with good conviction.”
Mukut also dismissed rumours of selling his office as baseless, saying he has “recovered maximum loss” and whatever is left will be recovered in the days to come.
Dhaakad director Razneesh Ghai set to shoot “futuristic” music video with Kangana Ranaut and Badshah
8:31 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 17, 2022)
After launching the teaser earlier this week, the makers of Dhaakad are ready to up the ante. Next week, Kangana Ranaut—who leads the actioner—will shoot a promotional music video with Badshah across multiple set-ups in Mumbai.
Director Razneesh ‘Razy’ Ghai, who has directed ad films and music videos for MTV, is excited about giving shape to the hip-hop song. “I love the way Badshah raps; it has a melodic bent to it. He has written the lyrics and composed it. The song will be in the Bollywood space, but will have the DNA that Dhaakad requires,” says the director.
Shooting the promotional video will be a costly affair as multiple sets will be built across different studios in Goregaon and Andheri, ahead of the filming on April 20 and 21.
“Kangana will have different looks in the song. Music videos in today’s times have to be stylised, and I want to make sure we achieve that. My producers Sohel Maklai and Deepak Mukut have spared no expense in getting me the production values that are required for the song. The video will be young, vibrant, glamorous, and futuristic.”
Dhaakad, which also features Arjun Rampal and Divya Dutta, sees Ranaut’s Agent Agni tackling the issue of child trafficking and female exploitation. With the fierce and fearless spy at the centre of the narrative, Ranaut and Ghai hope to usher in a wave of female-led actioners. While making the film, the director’s emphasis was on bringing forth hyper-stylised action. “We had four stunt teams—from Hollywood, Korea, Budapest and India—working on the film,” Ghai states.
He found the perfect collaborator in his film’s leading lady, who brought her expertise to the table. “[To me], Kangana is the new rising star of action. Her understanding of screenplays is fantastic. She gets involved early on, works with the director, and trains hard too.”
Indra Kumar's next comic caper starring Ajay Devgn, Sidharth Malhotra to be a social comedy
8:19 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; January 21, 2020)
High on the success of Total Dhamaal (2019), filmmaker Indra Kumar had announced the sequel to the comic caper. However, before he rolls out the ensemble comedy, the director will wield the directorial baton for a project featuring Ajay Devgn and Sidharth Malhotra. mid-day has learnt that the two-hero film will be a departure from the mindless entertainers that Kumar is known for, and will drive home a social message, laced with comedy.A trade source says, "The filmmaker had narrated three scripts to Ajay. Since he has done a spate of serious movies including biopics, actioners and historical dramas, the actor was looking for a light-hearted comedy. Ajay zeroed in on this script as he liked the larger point the story tried to make while eliciting laughs. The film is along the lines of the Munna Bhai series as it revolves around two bumbling do-gooders with hearts of gold, who are out to reform society. It has been Indra Kumar's passion project; he had been scripting it for years. He is thrilled that the story will finally be translated on screen."
The movie, also featuring Rakul Preet Singh, is likely to go on floors in May after Devgn wraps up the shoot of S S Rajamouli's RRR and Abhishek Dudhaiya's Bhuj: The Pride of India, and Malhotra completes Shershaah. "Sidharth is thrilled about the project as this is the first time he will try his hand at comedy. Currently, the filmmaker is fine-tuning the script, following which pre-production will start in March."
Producer Deepak Mukut, who backed Anubhav Sinha's Mulk (2017) earlier, says, "The film is dramatically different from what Indra Kumar used to make earlier. We will make a formal announcement shortly."
Stationed In The South
Ajay Devgn is set to commence shooting for S S Rajamouli's RRR today. A source close to the production says, "It's a 25-day intense shooting schedule in Hyderabad. The team has been working on the pre-production, and has been building massive sets in the city. Ajay will shoot along with South megastars Ram Charan and Jr NTR over this schedule." The ensemble cast also includes Alia Bhatt, and foreign actors Ray Stevenson, Alison Doody, and Olivia Morris. The makers are eyeing a year-end release in 10 languages.
Our current slate is looking very promising-Deepak Mukut
2:15 PM
MUMBAI MIRROR (July 19, 2019)
A force to reckon with in the Indian film distribution circle—enterprising film producer and Managing Partner of Soham Rockstar Entertainment, Deepak Mukut has over 25 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry.
Upholding his father, the former founding member of Zee Group and producer of Nargis and Teerandaz, Kamal Mukut’s penchant for family-oriented cinema with mass appeal, Deepak has produced several worthwhile films in the recent past, apart from acquiring the negative rights of over more than 500 films.
Having learnt the nuances of the business and filmmaking by working as an assistant director for senior directors and producers, Deepak knows the art and the business of cinema well. We caught up with the young entrepreneur ahead of the release of his film, Jhootha Kahin Ka, starring Rishi Kapoor, Omkar Kapoor, and Sunny Singh.
What’s your company’s vision?
We aspire to be a world class institute that supports filmmakers and talent, engages the community and expands the appreciation of good quality cinema.
Tell us about the journey so far?
It has been gratifying and challenging. We started off with distribution of movies, then dabbled in TV production where we were the first introduce innovation such as film trailers on national television, integration of film personalities in television shows, and this was followed by film production. We have produced movies like Sanam Teri Kasam, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, Mulk and Genius. We are also into the movie exhibition business and we own multiplexes in Jaipur with a few more in the pipeline.
Give us an insight on the scope of the film business with respect to the Indian diaspora…
The film industry is growing by leaps and bounds. New talent is being welcomed, newer theatre chains are being launched, major advertising revenues are being directed towards digital content, technology and will further enhance theatrical film viewing experience in the near future. The focus is more on Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns.
Apart from film production what is it that you do?
I am currently focusing on revamping my existing distribution and film making model. However, in my free time I am a community volunteer for social causes and charities including Rotary Club Juhu.
What according to you is that a critical quality in an entrepreneur?
According to me, it is the ability to never compromise on your dream and follow it through with discipline, passion and commitment. One has to be a self-starter with a strong work ethic and interpersonal skills.
Who are some of the directors and actors you would like to work with?
I would definitely like to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Anurag Kashyap, Kabir Khan, and Luv Ranjan.
What is turnover of your company and what is the expected growth?
We wish to grow by 40 per cent by 2020. We aim to be one of the largest content houses of India, with diversification into digital films, web series, short films, social and digital content delivery network with existing focus being on feature films; I am recruiting some of the most diversified and experienced creative talent of India to help me in this mission. I am also working on creating the largest lean theatre chains for content delivery through theatrical projections, which will be a game changer in the business.
What’s next?
Our current slate is looking very promising with a multitude of web series, web shows, and feature films with critically acclaimed directors and actors. Some are in pre-production stage and some are on the floors. I am also open to receiving good scripts and working with new and experienced talent.
Jhootha Kahin Ka is directed by Smeep Kang, produced by Deepak Mukut and Anuj Sharma, under the banner of Shantketan Entertainment and presented by Soham Rockstar Entertainment. The film releases today.
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