Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; September 19, 2018)

Over the last two years, speculations have been rife about the fourth instalment of the Dhoom franchise with reports that Shah Rukh Khan is slated to step into the antagonist’s role. While the main leads of the series have changed, the only faces that remained constant were Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra.

AB Jr says, “Usually, whenever Dhoom happens, there are several stories doing the rounds, but I won’t believe any till filmmaker Aditya Chopra confirms it. For all the three parts in the franchise, he just picked up the phone and told me, ‘Okay, we are ready and we are starting the film.’ But there has been no discussion or development on Dhoom 4 yet.”

The actor also puts another speculation to rest. “There were rumours that Bunty Aur Babli’s remake was in the pipeline, but there’s no truth to that as well,” he states.

However, Abhishek confirms that he’s doing Gulab Jamun with wife Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. “It’s a heartwarming story. Ash and I liked the script when writer-director Sarvesh Mewara narrated it to us about a year ago. We have been developing it since then, but we haven’t put a date to it yet. It shall go on the floors soon,” he signs off.

Speculation is rife that Salman Khan will feature in the fourth instalment of the Dhoom franchise
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; June 28, 2018)

Salman Khan has three big films — Ali Abbas Zafar's Bharat, Arbaaz Khan's Dabangg 3 and Sohail Khan's Sher Khan — in his kitty. Speculation is rife that the superstar will also feature in the fourth instalment of the Dhoom franchise, produced by Aditya Chopra.

A trade source tells mid-day, "While Salman and Aditya have been discussing Dhoom 4 for over a year, the deal was finally locked last week post the release of Race 3. Adi plans to release Dhoom 4 in 2020. Victor [Vijay Krishna Acharya], who is busy with Thugs Of Hindostan, will direct the movie. Buzz is that Ranveer Singh will also star in the film."

The source adds that the shoot will commence early next year and is likely to go on for 130 days. Major parts of the film will be shot in Dubai, and the locations have been finalised by the makers.

"A reference poster has also been made. Salman Khan's character is likely to have long hair and a scar on his face. He won't play a negative character. His part will be like Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan's characters in the previous instalments."

A Yash Raj Films' spokesperson denied the news, saying, "Work on Dhoom 4 hasn't started yet. There is no truth to these rumours."

The trade source adds that the production house is denying the news because "Adi plans to make the announcement once the paperwork is done."

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; September 16, 2017)

That Shah Rukh Khan is the chosen one for Dhoom 4 has been in the news for over a year. While it may have been a conversation between the actor and Yash Raj Films at the time, or wishful thinking on part of his fans, it’s now beginning to look like a plan.

After Aamir Khan in Dhoom 3, it had to be either SRK or Salman to maintain the star power of the series. Since Salman is already doing another action franchise — Race 3, SRK is the perfect choice. Especially because the protagonist is the baddie, and he does such roles rather well. Case in point: Baazigar, Darr, Don, and Raees. Says a source, “Adi wants to take Dhoom 4 to the next level and he’s asked Maneesh Sharma to write the film. He’s currently scripting it. For those in the know, Vijay Krishna Acharya aka Victor (director of Dhoom 3) is now busy with Thugs of Hindostan. So the film will change hands again. Maneesh will probably direct it as well.”

Maneesh and SRK share a great working relationship. The source adds, “Although Fan didn’t work at the box office, SRK and Maneesh have discussed about working together again. Nothing is on paper as of now, but for SRK, all that isn’t required when it’s a YRF film. Only a call from Adi is enough.”

After Befikre disappointment, Aditya Chopra might just change track
Joginder Tuteja (DNA; January 16, 2017)

Befikre did barely Rs 48.75 crore in its first week. Now that’s a total which was expected in the opening weekend itself for the film which was announced with much fanfare almost a year ago. The message was loud and clear — the audience had given the film a big thumbs-down and that could well be evidenced in rapidly declining collections.

So what does the man behind an all-time blockbuster (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge) and a couple of other well received films (Mohabbatein, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi) do next?

“Well, definitely ‘not reinvent’ himself,” says a trade expert, tongue firmly in cheek, “He has had enough of that with Befikre. Clearly, Aditya Chopra is a brand and what audience expects is nothing, but unadulterated family fun with loads of entertainment. No one knows what really prompted him to try something like Befikre, which was neither entirely original (considering its similarities with Tamasha and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil), nor supremely entertaining. The biggest problem here was lack of content for family audiences. Now that’s not what you expect when someone like Adi Chopra makes a film after eight long years.”

What Aditya needs next is a three-point approach for his next. Firstly, he needs to make his next in the next three years itself. Secondly, the film has to appeal to family crowds. Thirdly, and most importantly, he needs to deliver a huge grosser now which matches to the level of at least Mohabbatein, if not DDLJ.

“Exactly,” an industry insider adds, “Aditya is too huge a Bollywood veteran to let one Befikre make him take a step back. As a matter of fact, what he needs to do next is instantly sprint ahead and deliver a biggie. What better way to do that than to pick up Yash Raj Films’ biggest franchise, Dhoom? The film is all set for its fourth installment, in any case. The earlier parts were accepted wholeheartedly by families. Also, it is set to be a huge grosser by all means. With this, it ticks all the boxes in the three-point approach.”

The immediate question is around the cast of the film. Now considering the fact that Aditya and Shah Rukh Khan are already slated to work together soon, it would only do wonders if that happens for Dhoom: 4.

As an antagonist, it would be a huge casting coup to have the superstar be the latest inclusion after John Abraham, Hrithik Roshan and Aamir Khan.

“As for the leading lady, don’t be surprised if Aditya’s current favorite Vaani Kapoor makes the cut,” the trade expert wonders, “Given her current looks and styling, it won’t be surprising if she ends up bagging a spot of one of the heroines in Dhoom: 4!”

The ball is now in Adi’s court now and if he indeed decides to direct Dhoom: 4 next, then rest assured, him jumping straight into the Rs 300 crore club is pretty much on the cards. All he needs to do is announce it quick, get the best and biggest star cast at his disposal and then call the shots!

As industry speculates, Abhishek Bachchan says makers yet to even lock script
MID-DAY (November 21, 2016)

Over the last few months, the industry has been abuzz with rumours of action-thriller franchise being taken forward with Ranveer Singh and Shah Rukh Khan as the cop and villain, respectively. Then there was talk about Parineeti Chopra being zeroed in as the leading lady. However, Abhishek Bachchan, who has been part of all three instalments of Dhoom as ACP Jai Dixit, has rubbished talk about part four being made any time soon.

Abhishek, 40, clarified that the makers are yet to lock the script and he is yet to receive a call from director- producer Aditya Chopra in this regard. “We haven’t yet got the script for Dhoom 4. I have no idea if Aditya is developing something right now. And, also, Victor [Acharya], who made the last part of Dhoom is busy making another film,” said Abhishek.

“As of now, I don’t know what the status of Dhoom 4 is. But, I am sure once they are ready, we will announce it,” he added.

Abhishek also shot down rumours of reuniting with the cast of Hera Phera 3, saying, “It is not happening right now”. Earlier this year, he had clarified that he was no longer associated with the comedy franchise because “it just didn’t work out”.

The actor is in talks to be the new villain of the franchise
PS: Ranveer Singh to replace Abhishek Bachchan
Upala KBR (DNA; August 19, 2016)


Says a source, “Shah Rukh has been approached by Chopra for D4. Talks about dates and remuneration are on. Salman was approached before SRK, but he’s very clear right now about not playing a negative character. Shah Rukh has done it in quite a few filmsbefore, so he has no reservations. Also, it’s not a baddie in the true sense of the word. Dhoom baddies are cool and stylish. It’s more in the Don space, which works for SRK.”

The source notes. “Adi’s strategy worked with each Dhoom being bigger than the earlier one at the box-office In Dhoom Reloaded, while Ranveer will now be ACP Jai Dixit, Uday Chopra, who played Ali, will sit out of this project.”

Who will play Uday? Watch this space!

Upala KBR (DNA; May 10, 2016)

Looks like it’s going to be Gen Next for sequels this year. While Varun Dhawan has been signed for Judwaa 2 and Sidharth Malhotra for Bang Bang 2, sources swear that the next sequel of the Dhoom franchise, Dhoom Reloaded: The Chase Continues will have a young actor. And Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra who have been in the earlier three Dhooms, will no longer be part of the franchise.

A source says, “Aditya Chopra wants Dhoom Reloaded to be a film for the youth. Who better to play the dashing hero than Ranveer Singh, YRF’s current blue-eyed boy? Talks are on for Salman Khan to play the negative role so if both get finalised, it will be Salman and Ranveer for India’s most successful franchise.

The combination will be explosive. Salman has never worked with any of the younger actors from, Arjun Kapoor to Sidharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan to Tiger Shroff. It’s not yet finalised that Ranveer is doing the film. He’a currently shooting for Adi’s Befikre in Paris, and unsure what his next till be, but he has been sounded off on the project.

According to the source, Dhoom Reloaded will begin shooting in early 2017 and will be shot across exotic foreign locales different from Dhoom 3. “Vijay Krishna Acharya is expected to direct the fourth Dhoom sequel too (he had directed Dhoom:3). A teaser poster was released in December last year. Amitabh Bachchan is also said to be part of Dhoom Reloaded, but the female lead hasn’t been decided as yet.”

The superstar has been approached by two big production houses to play negative roles
Upala KBR (DNA; April 19, 2016)


But an insider industry believes that the superstar wants to experiment with some different roles. And if the parts appeal to him, he will play the bad guy in YRF’s Dhoom:4 and Ramesh Taurani’s Race 3.

Says our source, “Salman wants to play a cool, stylish villain. He has never played one before. His negative role in Race 3 is almost finalised, but discussions are still on with Aditya Chopra for Dhoom:4. The issue is a financial one where Salman wants a stake in D:4, just like Aamir had in Dhoom:3. Salman wants the same profit-sharing ratio that was offered to the D:3 star. Once that is finalised, he’s on.”

However, a source close to Ramesh Taurani says, “The scripting for Race 3 is still on and no cast is finalised as yet, including the directors.” It remains to be seen who will direct both films. Dhoom:3 director Vijay Krishna Acharya is busy with his next — a period-thriller-drama with Hrithik Roshan ­— while Race and Race 2 directors Abbas-Mastan, who turned producers recently, are busy with their next.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; October 15, 2015)

Dhoom is India’s most famous franchise. Abhishek Bachchan has been the regular, while the villains have ranged from John Abraham and Hrithik Roshan to Aamir Khan. The collections as well as the actors have steadily become bigger and better. No wonder then, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan fans have been thirsting to see their screen idols mainlaining Dhoom 4. Now, Vijay Krishna Acharya aka Victor is all set to begin work on the fourth installment of the franchise, and it doesn’t star either of the Khans. This time, Dhoom may repeat one of its previous actors. Apparently, Hrithik will play the main antagonist again, as he had done in Dhoom 2. And Amitabh Bachchan joins the franchise for the first time. Whether Bachchan Sr and Bachchan Jr will have face-offs in the plot, is not known at the moment. Says a reliable source, “At the moment it is not very clear where Victor is going with this. All that is confirmed is that Aditya Chopra and Victor have approached and signed Mr Bachchan and Hrithik.” Meanwhile, another source says, “While Hrithik, Victor and Adi are coming together the film might not be Dhoom4. But another thriller.”