Showing posts with label Dream Girl 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dream Girl 2. Show all posts
Sooraj Barjatya’s hero is always a green flag-Ayushmann Khurrana
9:46 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 17, 2025)
A good old family drama was missing from Ayushmann Khurrana’s filmography even as he attempted diverse genres. Now the actor is doing one with the best in business, Sooraj Barjatya. Having recently completed the first schedule of Yeh Prem Mol Liya, he is deeply impressed by the filmmaker’s humility.
“Sooraj sir is one of the most successful directors, but he’s simple and hard-working. He works like a nerd, and that inspires me the most,” said the actor.
Stepping into the role of Prem is a big feat. But to Khurrana, what’s noteworthy is that the role is at odds with the characters he gravitates towards.
He explained, “The best part of a Sooraj Barjatya film is that the hero is always a quintessential green flag. I usually love portraying characters who are flawed and have an arc, but here, the entire family is a green flag.”
In 2025, Khurrana had a sole release in Thamma. The actor will open 2026 with Pati Patni Aur Woh Do. He realises that the two offerings are a departure from the out-of-the-box films he has been known for — from Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017) to Andhadhun (2018).
“The reason I’m doing films like Thamma and Pati Patni Aur Woh Do for a wider audience is because I also want to do films like Andhadhun and Article 15 [2019]. I believe An Action Hero [2022] could have done better. So, I’m mixing up genres — commercial films with projects that are unique. You have to gain the audience’s faith. That’s what I tried to build with Dream Girl 2 [2023] and Thamma. That will get translated to my other films as well.”
Raaj Shaandilyaa reacts to Nushrratt Bharuccha’s statement that she was ‘hurt’ about not being cast in Dream Girl 2
10:08 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; April 18, 2025)
In a recent interview, Nushrratt Bharrucha spoke about being replaced by Ananya Panday in Dream Girl 2 (2023) and admitted that she was hurt by the move.
The actress, who had featured in Dream Girl (2019), said, “It hurt me even more when I was not a part of my own sequel. Every other actor was the same, except the girl, which I felt was not cool na, guys? Theek hai, no problem. I can’t fight something I know is not going to change. What do I fight? They’ll say, ‘We don’t want you.’ That’s the truth of it. Eventually, it’s a choice somebody’s making. I cannot question your choice.”
When we reached out to the director, Raaj Shaandilyaa, he presented his explanation for choosing Ananya for the film.
‘Dream Girl 2 was not a sequel, but a franchise film’
Talking about why certain cast members, including Ayushmann Khurrana, Manjot Singh and Annu Kapoor, were repeated in Dream Girl 2, Raaj Shaandilyaa said, “Dream Girl 2 was not a sequel, but a franchise film. If it were a sequel, then Nushrratt would have been cast in the film. Dream Girl’s story ended when Ayushmann and Nushrratt’s characters united. We wanted to narrate a different story, and so we took the plot ahead with the core characters played by Ayushmann, Manjot and Annu Kapoor, and we cast Ananya in it.”
‘Jab hum third part banayenge, we will cast a new girl in it’
Ask him if Nushrratt ever expressed her disappointment, and he said, “Nushrratt once asked me why she wasn’t a part of Dream Girl 2, and I gave her the same explanation. I told her that according to the story, we wanted a new girl.”
He added, “There’s no room for disappointment because jab hum third part banayenge, we’ll cast a new girl in it. Usme Ananya nahi hogi, koi aur hogi.”
‘Purani baatein chhodo, next film ki taiyyari karte hai’
Raaj also says that he wishes to do more films with Nushrratt, who is a “dear friend,” and so, they should put all of this behind them and move on. “I am producing a new film and approaching Nushrratt for it. I enjoy working with her. I would just like to tell her that purani baatein chhodo, next film ki taiyyari karte hai. I think an actor should be prepared to deal with all this because our industry is like this, where stories and characters keep changing. You won’t know ki end moment tak kya hoga… sometimes we face date issues, sometimes the commercials don’t work out. Ab purani baatein chhodo, aage badhte hai.”
I am dying to do a mythological film; would also love to play Krishna, Arjun or even Chanakya-Ayushmann Khurrana
8:22 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; December 12, 2023)
In a conversation with us, Ayushmann Khurrana talked about the need for family entertainers and massy films, the characters he would like to play on screen and shares his views about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the creative space.
‘A theatrical film has to be a family entertainer’
Ayushmann’s last release, Dream Girl 2, met with success at the box office. However, the actor, who is known for his hatke roles in socially relevant subjects, also wants to do something grand and spectacular on the big screen. He says, “At this point, I think for a theatrical (big screen experience), you need to also be relatable. It can’t be completely alienated in terms of concept. You need to choose scripts that are massier, commercial and also reach a wider audience. It has to be a family entertainer, and after all, I love being on the big screen.”
‘Coming from a theatre background, my language is my strong point’
In terms of spectacle films, Ayushmann wants to try his hand at mythology. He says, “I would love to do a mythological film someday. Coming from a theatre background, my language is my strong point. My Hindi is pretty good. I think in Hindi. It is difficult for a Chandigarh boy to speak shuddh Hindi, but thankfully, in my family, there was this tradition of reading a lot of Hindi books, shayari and poetry. I have read Munshi Premchand and Harivansh Rai Bachchan. So, yes, I am dying to do a mythological film. As an actor, you can have a field day if your language is good.”
‘AI-generated content lacks soul’
Apart from acting, Ayushmann has always made his love for music known. Ask him if he is concerned about the way AI is being used to recreate popular voices, and he says, “Of course, it is nerve-racking, but only till a point, where it doesn’t develop the soul. I have tried ChatGPT. I tried using it to write like Gulzar saab, Javed Akhtar saab and Ghalib, and it probably got the grammar right, but the soul was missing. I feel AI may take care of some technical jobs, but how will you get the soul (in a creative job)? It’s all about the soul.”
‘I played Ashwatthama in college and won awards’
Talking about the mythological character that he wishes to play on screen, Ayushmann says, “You will be surprised to know that during my college days, I played Ashwatthama. We did a play called Andha Yug by Dharamvir Bharati. It’s a famous play in Hindi, and I got a lot of awards for playing Ashwatthama. I would also love to play Krishna, Arjun or even Chanakya.”
PVR Inox logs over Rs. 200 crore profit in Q2
8:28 AM
Revenue nearly doubles; highest BO collections come on back of Hindi film hits
Javed Farooqui (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 20, 2023)
Mumbai: Multiplex operator PVR Inox on Thursday delivered its best quarterly results ever, with a net profit of Rs. 207 crores for the three months ended September 30, compared with a net loss of Rs. 78 crore a year earlier. Revenue nearly doubled to Rs. 2,020 crores from Rs. 1,082 crores, boosted by several blockbuster movies. The results are on a pro-forma basis, as the merger between PVR and Inox became effective on February 6 this year.
The company, which operates more than 1,700 screens, recorded earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of Rs. 447 crore, compared with Rs. 16 crore a year earlier. Ebitda margin expanded to 22% from 1.5%.
PVR Inox recorded its highest ever gross box-office collections of Rs. 1,336 crore in the past quarter, with 48.4 million admissions, driven primarily by Hindi blockbuster films like Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan and Sunny Deol’s Gadar 2. Mid-scale movies like Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, OMG 2, and Dream Girl 2 also lifted the Hindi box-office numbers to Rs. 727 crore during the quarter.
Gross Hollywood box-office collection for the company was Rs. 293 crore, on the back of robust performances by Oppenheimer, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One and Barbie, among others.
Rajinikanth's Jailer set the regional box office collection at Rs. 316 crore. “It's the best quarter of all time for PVR Inox. We were reasonably confident that business would come back. The debate over whether people want to watch movies in theatres is over. Films across the board have been done across multiple languages,” PVR Inox chief financial officer Nitin Sood said.
Gadar 2, Jawan, OMG 2 effect: September quarter collections highest in 5 years
8:17 AM
Rajesh Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 16, 2023)
The quarter to September saw the highest net box-office collection of Hindi films in India in any quarter over the past five years.
According to data compiled by ETIG, based on the data shared by Sacnilk Technologies on its website, the net box-office collection of Hindi films (both made in Hindi and dubbed in Hindi) in the country stood at Rs. 1,720.3 crore at the end of September quarter, surpassing net box-office collection of Rs. 1,579.1 crore in July-September 2019.
In the September quarter this year, the success of mass entertainers such as Gadar 2, Jawan, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, OMG 2 and Dream Girl 2 at the box office contributed to the collections. Experts said these films worked as audiences flocked to theatres, something they had not been able to do amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
They said audiences are seeking “unadulterated” entertainment and that films such as Gadar 2, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaini and Jawan contained elements that catered to the audiences who had been deprived of these familiar elements in Hindi films for a long time.
Analysts also said audiences lapped up those films in which extra efforts were made to improve and elevate the presentation of visuals, dialogues and action. Contemporary audiences slot films in two categories — those that are to be watched on streaming platforms and those in theatres, they said. Titles that do not conform to this trend do not receive any noticeable response from audiences, they said, even if they are well-made.
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Collections set to Cross Rs. 12,000 cr in 2023
Javed Farooqui (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 16, 2023)
Mumbai: The total box-office receipts for the first nine months of 2023 stand at Rs. 8,798 crore, Ormax Media said in its latest report.
The media research company added that 2023 is expected to be the highest grossing year ever, with a chance to cross the Rs. 12,000-crore threshold at the box office, thanks to the upcoming releases of Tiger 3, Salaar, and Dunki. Ormax stated that the gross box-office collection in the first nine months was 6% higher than the same period in 2022.
The gross box-office collection came in at Rs. 10,637 crore in 2022, according to an earlier joint report by GroupM-Ormax Media. Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan, which earned Rs. 733 crore, is currently the most successful film of the year, followed by Pathaan, which took in Rs. 646 crore. Gadar 2 was the only other movie to gross above Rs. 500 crore, according to the Ormax report, with receipts of Rs. 614 crore. Jailer and Adipurush have collected Rs. 397 crore and Rs. 331 crore, respectively.
Films released in September 2023 grossed Rs. 1,353 crore, making it the fourth month this year to cross the Rs. 1,000 crore mark at the box office. The month of August witnessed the highest box office collections during the year, with receipts of Rs. 1,610 crore.
In January and June, the gross box-office collections stood at Rs. 1,388 crore and Rs. 1,073 crore, respectively.
I think I have developed that thick skin seeing my dad-Ananya Panday
4:50 PM
Learning to take a joke on herself from father Chunky Panday, Ananya hopes to showcase her comic side with debut series, Call Me Bae
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; September 24, 2023)
Although Ananya Panday has tasted success with Dream Girl 2, her desire to perform comedy on screen is yet to be fulfilled. Admitting that comedy is a difficult genre to crack and that she could only react to it in the Ayushmann Khuarrana-starrer, she says, “I was part of a situational comedy in Dream Girl 2. I was reacting to everything around me, so I cannot take credit for that. However, in Call Me Bae, I will be doing more comedy.”
The Amazon Prime Video series, announced earlier this year, marks Ananya’s debut in digital entertainment. The Dharmatic production revolves around a wealthy fashionista who is eschewed by her family owing to a controversy. For the first time in her life, she is left to fend for herself while navigating stereotypes and prejudice.
It’s a trade practice for people in the genre to be able to laugh at themselves before laughing at someone else. Ananya put this practice to use on the set of Call Me Bae.
“Sometimes we overthink things like, ‘If we make this face, we will look silly. If we try to improvise, it will not come out correct.’ I believe comedy is about being uninhibited with being silly and willing to make a fool of yourself,” says Ananya, adding that it was also an advice she received from dad Chunky Panday.
Daddy dearest also taught Ananya to take criticism in her stride, a feat that is difficult to cultivate for many actors as they are perpetually under public scrutiny.
“I think it comes naturally to me and has become a part of my personality. Dad and I are quite similar. We like that people around us like us and laugh with us. And sometimes [even] at our expense. I think I have developed that thick skin seeing my dad,” shares the actor, adding that there are days when jibes hurt her. “Sometimes, I don’t take a joke as well as I would have on any other day because I am only human. But being in the industry makes you grow stronger.”
Nothing more satisfying than making people laugh, says Ayushmann Khurrana on his birthday
8:28 AM
An honouree for Time’s 100 Impact Award, Dream Girl 2 actor Ayushmann Khurrana on earning appreciation as a comic hero, and being recognised for promoting social awareness
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 14, 2023)
The ongoing year has been a fruitful one for Ayushmann Khurrana, for more reasons than one. Apart from the appreciation that he has received for his latest release, Dream Girl 2, Khurrana has bagged a spot as an honouree for TIME Magazine’s 100 Impact Award. “This is a special birthday for me,” confesses the actor who turns 38 today.
“The people of my country have always supported me, and this year, I have to thank them for making my film a success,” he says, as Dream Girl 2 enters the Rs. 100 crore club. “I wanted to deliver a film that makes people happy. I’m an entertainer, so, when I make people smile, I feel fulfilled.”
While this may not be his first attempt at tickling the funny bone, Khurrana admits that it hasn’t been a mean feat to get a grasp on comedy. “It is a tough genre for any artiste [to pull off]. I’m glad that people have accepted me in this genre. I hope to do more [comic roles] in the near future, and make people laugh. There is nothing more satisfying than that.”
Apart from his unconventional film choices, Khurrana was recognized for his “endeavours as a singer, a poet, a philanthropist, and an advocate for India’s youth”. His appointment as UNICEF’s ambassador to promote and foster the rights of children in India did not go unnoticed.
“I’m proud and humbled with this honour because it validates my core belief system, both as an artiste and a human being who aims to effect positive social change. I have, and will always try to push the content envelope of India through my brand of cinema. And I shall continue to work dedicatedly as the UNICEF ambassador to aid as many children in need, in my country. I want to make a difference through my craft and my actions so that the people can join me in making this nation better for our future generations.”
Khurrana was previously honoured by the media company in 2020 and recognized among the 100 most influential people in the world.
Bollywood’s Mr ROI: Ayushmann Khurrana delivers his fifth 100-crore hit
10:23 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (September 12, 2023)
Actor Ayushmann Khurrana recently delivered his fifth 100-crore worldwide hit with Dream Girl 2. The previous four global blockbusters were Andhadhun, Badhaai Ho (both 2018), Dream Girl and Bala (both 2019).
Khurrana is a rare star who always picks the most disruptive films that can entertain audiences globally. From playing a sperm donor in his debut Vicky Donor (2012), a blind piano player in Andhadhun, portraying a man dealing with his 50-year-old parents’ pregnancy in Badhaai Ho, taking a stand against the caste system in Article 15 (2019) and questioning the societal standards of beauty in Bala, to playing a man forced to dress as a woman in the Dream Girl franchise — his brand of cinema is now known as The Ayushmann Khurrana Genre!
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh describes the USP of the brand Ayushmann: “What’s unique about Ayushmann Khurrana is that he is the most disruptive and risk-taking actor in the Hindi film industry. And thankfully for him, those big risks have paid off! He is like no one else we have seen. He has managed to create his own brand of cinema, which is extremely rare for any actor to pull off.”
He continues, “Ayushmann is a producer’s actor too. I have time and again told the media that he is the best [among the] younger stars when it comes to return on investment (ROI). Look at the returns of Andhadhun, Badhaai Ho, Dream Girl, Bala and now Dream Girl 2! He keeps his producers happy and has also smiled all the way to the bank. Basically, if his films make money, everyone makes money, which is the best scenario for all parties involved. He focuses on choosing the best scripts because he likes to wow [the audience] with every film he does.”
I wanted to be a heroine, now I aspire to become a performer-Ananya Panday
9:38 AM
As Dream Girl 2 inches towards the Rs 100-crore mark, Ananya Panday says she’s motivated to enhance her craft now more than ever before
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; September 11, 2023)
The Panday household has a new favourite topic of discussion—box-office figures. “I am not going to lie, my mother, grandmother and I are looking at the numbers constantly,” giggles Ananya Panday, whose latest release, the Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Dream Girl 2, has been inching towards the Rs 100 crore mark.
Panday admits that the validation that film’s success has brought her has been unmatched. In her four-year career that began with Student Of The Year 2, this offering is commercially important. “I know that the kind of films that I have done before have been urban, and people have only seen me in a way that they associate my real-life personality to be. But, this is different. This film has already become my highest-grosser, so far. So, it’s exciting,” she says of Raj Shaandilyaa’s directorial venture.
While she was evidently elated to share the screen with revered actors, Panday admits that she was equally anxious about pulling off her character convincingly in their towering presence. “I was nervous about acting with these legends,” she says of the movie that also features Paresh Rawal, Vijay Raaz, and Abhishek Banerjee, who are known for their impeccable comic timing.
“I didn’t want to ruin things and stick out like a sore thumb. It was important that people liked and accepted me. The film had a pan-India appeal. It’s a comedy, but that emotion of wanting to marry someone, and then trying to win over the father, is relatable to many people in our country. So, evidently, I was hopeful that this would become the film that would help me reach many households.”
While she is hungry to register similar box-office successes in the future, Panday says she is now more conscious about enhancing her craft than she was before. “Growing up, I wanted to be a star. I always wanted to be a film heroine and have my big Bollywood song and dance sequences. I wanted to be part of blockbuster films. I fell in love with acting after becoming an actor. When I began working, I realized there was so much more to do. I am gravitating towards being a better performer, improving myself and hoping that people see that side of me.”
Panday has her maiden series, Call Me Bae, Zoya Akhtar’s production, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, and Vikramaditya Motwane’s next in her kitty.
For Dream Girl 3, I plan to take the comedy a notch higher than the first two parts-Raaj Shaandilyaa
4:06 PM
Director Raaj Shaandilyaa discusses the third instalment of the Ayushmann Khurrana-led Dream Girl and the issues he hopes to tackle with the comedy
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 10, 2023)
It’s all about the moolah, right? Although the Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Dream Girl 2 opened to mixed reviews, it crossed Rs 95 crore at the box-office. Propelled by the box-office success of the film, director Raaj Shaandilyaa is not ready to part with the franchise.
“I knew that people would appreciate Dream Girl 2. [I believe] if the audience is laughing, your film is a success,” he says, adding that he plans to take the franchise forward.
Shaandilyaa hopes to keep mixing his movies with comedy and relevant messaging. “For Dream Girl 3, I plan to take [the comedy] a notch higher than the first two parts with a different message. It will revolve around patriotism, contemporary social issues, and personal relationships,” he explains.
He insists that Pooja (Khurrana’s cross-dressing character) will continue to be the hero of the film. “Without Pooja, I cannot make Dream Girl. She is the central [character], along with her father and Smiley [played by Annu Kapoor and Manjot Singh, respectively], who will remain the primary characters. How she gets trapped while solving the problem and how she comes out of it will form the crux of the story in Dream Girl 3.”
As the franchise continues, so will Khurrana’s involvement with the project. “Nobody else can be Dream Girl except Ayushmann,” he assures, adding that it will take another year to make the third instalment. He hopes to take a break before diving into it.
Currently, Shaandilyaa is busy making his next project with producers Ekta Kapoor and Bhushan Kumar. “It is too early to comment on my next directorial as it is still being finalized. Dream Girl 3 will happen, but after a couple of years, as I need to take a break from it,” he laughs.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 793
5:31 PM
ALL EYES ARE ON JAWAN; BOX OFFICE CONTINUES TO SHINE AS HOLDOVER RELEASES ARE STILL WORKING BIG TIME
The much-awaited film Jawan is releasing next week and the excitement is incredible. Usually before the release of biggies, the box office is dry and theatres are forced to run holdover films as they have no option. But right now, that's not the case.
Last week's release Dream Girl 2 had mixed word of mouth. But it did quite well at the box office. It opened at Rs. 10 crores and thus emerged as Ayushmann Khurrana's biggest opener. The collections jumped to Rs. 13.75 crores and Rs. 15.50 crores on Saturday and Sunday respectively. On Monday, the film earned Rs. 5 crores but on Tuesday, the earnings jumped to Rs. 5.25 crores as the next day was Raksha Bandhan. The Wednesday collections were around Rs. 7.25 crores. Hence, it'll collect Rs. 60 crores in its first week. It remains to be seen if the film can cross the Rs. 100 crores mark. The chances are unlikely. Nevertheless, the purpose is served. The film, made at reasonable costs, is a hit. For Ayushmann Khurrana, this is a much-deserved success since his last 4 films flopped.
Gadar 2 continues to be as strong as ever. Until Wednesday, August 30, it collected around Rs. 469 crores. There's zero competition for this film this week and hence it'll continue to do well. Trade, industry and fans are eagerly waiting to see if it can cross Pathaan's collections of Rs. 515 crores.
OMG 2 is slowing down but still has gas left in its tank. It has collected around Rs. 138 crores and will cross the Rs. 140 crore mark in the coming weekend.
Even the latest regional films like Subhedar (Marathi), Mastaney (Punjabi) and 3 Ekka (Gujarati) attracted viewers in hordes. In short, the box office continues to be healthy.
This Friday will also have multiple releases but have slim chances. Love All, starring Kay Kay Menon and Goldfish, starring Kalki Koechlin and Deepti Naval, are the Hindi releases of the week and have zero buzz. Kushi, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha, has grabbed eyeballs. The original Telugu version might work but the Hindi version will go unnoticed due to limited release and lack of excitement.
As for Hollywood films, only The Equalizer 3 might find some audience. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem has had a decent performance at the box office in North America. In India, it will have a tough time as the films of this franchise have never worked. Golda, lastly, is a niche film meant for a very minuscule section of moviegoers.
(Crisp) Movie Review: DREAM GIRL 2 by FENIL SETA
2:25 PM
Dream Girl 2 rests on a great premise and could have been yet another laugh-a-minute riot, just like the predecessor. The first half is too quick but has some very funny moments. One expects the second half to be maddening, just like it happened in the first part. Sadly, the film drops after the interval. Certain funny developments and characters are forcefully added and then forgotten. The climax is very weak. What saves the film are some comic moments and the very witty and hilarious dialogues. Ayushmann Khurrana gives his best shot and is especially superb as Pooja. Ananya Panday does fine but doesn't get much scope. Annu Kapoor and Vijay Raaz are underwhelming. Paresh Rawal and Abhishek Banerjee decent. Rajpal Yadav is too funny. Manjot Singh is dependable. Manoj Joshi is hardly there. Asrani leaves a mark in a small role. Anusha Mishra (Sakina) and Sudesh Lehri (Baba) are wasted. Seema Pahwa (Jumani) does well. Ranjan Raj (Tiger Pandey) and Sapna Sand (Principal) steal the show. All in all, Dream Girl 2 is average and not as entertaining as the first part.
My rating - ** ½ out of 5!
My rating - ** ½ out of 5!
Dream Girl 2 row: Films should not be prevented from release at the eleventh hour, says Bombay High Court
8:36 AM
THE TIMES OF INDIA (August 25, 2023)
Mumbai: Films should not be prevented from release at the eleventh hour, said the Bombay High Court while refusing to stay the release of Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Dream Girl 2. The movie is slated for release on Friday.
A single bench of Justice Riyaz Chagla on August 22 heard a suit filed by Ashim Bagchi, who claimed that the story of the film was similar to a script he had registered with the Film Screen Writers Association in May 2007.
Bagchi sought a stay on the release of the film pending hearing of his suit.
Justice Chagla said the suit and application seeking injunction order on the film release was filed only on August 18 and the respondents had not had a chance to respond to it.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 792
9:15 AM
WILL DREAM GIRL 2 SUCCEED DESPITE THE GADAR 2 WAVE?
Dream Girl 2 is all set to release tomorrow and though there's a lot of hype for it, the comic caper might get affected due to the blockbuster performance of Gadar 2 and OMG 2.
Dream Girl 2 is the sequel to the 2019 comedy Dream Girl. It collected Rs. 139.37 crores and is the highest grosser of Ayushmann Khurrana. The talented actor returns in the sequel and he's joined by Ananya Panday, Paresh Rawal, Manjot Singh, Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz, Abhishek Banerjee and Manoj Joshi. Raaj Shaandilyaa has directed and also written the film. His one-liners are too good and he's a rare filmmaker today who can make 90s-style comedies, a genre which has a lot of takers.
Dream Girl 2 features Ayushmann Khurrana in drag. The promotion was unique as initially his face wasn't shown in the promotional videos. A few days before release, the poster was unveiled featuring Ayushmann dressed as a woman. His look was amusing and it grabbed eyeballs. The trailer was also decent and the on-ground promotions have added to the buzz.
Dream Girl 2, however, faces challenges. Gadar 2 crossed the Rs. 400 crore mark yesterday and continues to find an audience. It is doing historic business in most of the single-screen cinemas in the Hindi-speaking markets. Dream Girl 2 has a chance to do well in single screens but it won't get shows in these theatres. Hence, a section of the trade and industry fears that it might not perform to its full potential. On the other hand, many feel that since it has two weeks until Jawan, it'll manage to score.
Dream Girl opened at Rs. 9.43 crores. Dream Girl 2 is also expected to open in the same range. The advance ticket sales are decent and it might have an opening of Rs. 10-11 crores. If reports are positive, it can grow well on Saturday and Sunday. There are also chances that some theatres can accommodate Dream Girl 2, if Gadar 2 drops. If the word of mouth is negative, Dream Girl 2 will face a tough time.
Besides Dream Girl 2, several films are up for release. Nushrratt Bharuccha-starrer Akelli, the Gujarati film 3 Ekka and the Marathi film Subhedar were scheduled to release on August 18 but were postponed by a week as they didn't get screens due to the Gadar 2 wave. Akelli will sink without a trace. 3 Ekka, featuring 3 popular Gujarati actors, is expected to have a decent opening. Subhedar, on the other hand, is part of the fifth instalment of the franchise on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, directed by Digpal Lanjekar. The previous four films were hits and Subhedar is expected to follow suit. Its ticket sales have been huge and it is expected to open with a bang.
That’s not all. The Punjabi film Mastaney, too, has managed to have a huge advance booking. Lastly, there are three English films up for release – Gran Turismo, Retribution and Asteroid City. All three of them target a niche audience. Gran Turismo might score due to the racing and gaming elements. Asteroid City has an exciting ensemble but comes too late in India. Retribution stars Liam Neeson and seems like a commercial action entertainer. The awareness, however, is low and there’s too much competition.
Dream Girl 2 is all set to release tomorrow and though there's a lot of hype for it, the comic caper might get affected due to the blockbuster performance of Gadar 2 and OMG 2.
Dream Girl 2 is the sequel to the 2019 comedy Dream Girl. It collected Rs. 139.37 crores and is the highest grosser of Ayushmann Khurrana. The talented actor returns in the sequel and he's joined by Ananya Panday, Paresh Rawal, Manjot Singh, Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz, Abhishek Banerjee and Manoj Joshi. Raaj Shaandilyaa has directed and also written the film. His one-liners are too good and he's a rare filmmaker today who can make 90s-style comedies, a genre which has a lot of takers.
Dream Girl 2 features Ayushmann Khurrana in drag. The promotion was unique as initially his face wasn't shown in the promotional videos. A few days before release, the poster was unveiled featuring Ayushmann dressed as a woman. His look was amusing and it grabbed eyeballs. The trailer was also decent and the on-ground promotions have added to the buzz.
Dream Girl 2, however, faces challenges. Gadar 2 crossed the Rs. 400 crore mark yesterday and continues to find an audience. It is doing historic business in most of the single-screen cinemas in the Hindi-speaking markets. Dream Girl 2 has a chance to do well in single screens but it won't get shows in these theatres. Hence, a section of the trade and industry fears that it might not perform to its full potential. On the other hand, many feel that since it has two weeks until Jawan, it'll manage to score.
Dream Girl opened at Rs. 9.43 crores. Dream Girl 2 is also expected to open in the same range. The advance ticket sales are decent and it might have an opening of Rs. 10-11 crores. If reports are positive, it can grow well on Saturday and Sunday. There are also chances that some theatres can accommodate Dream Girl 2, if Gadar 2 drops. If the word of mouth is negative, Dream Girl 2 will face a tough time.
Besides Dream Girl 2, several films are up for release. Nushrratt Bharuccha-starrer Akelli, the Gujarati film 3 Ekka and the Marathi film Subhedar were scheduled to release on August 18 but were postponed by a week as they didn't get screens due to the Gadar 2 wave. Akelli will sink without a trace. 3 Ekka, featuring 3 popular Gujarati actors, is expected to have a decent opening. Subhedar, on the other hand, is part of the fifth instalment of the franchise on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, directed by Digpal Lanjekar. The previous four films were hits and Subhedar is expected to follow suit. Its ticket sales have been huge and it is expected to open with a bang.
That’s not all. The Punjabi film Mastaney, too, has managed to have a huge advance booking. Lastly, there are three English films up for release – Gran Turismo, Retribution and Asteroid City. All three of them target a niche audience. Gran Turismo might score due to the racing and gaming elements. Asteroid City has an exciting ensemble but comes too late in India. Retribution stars Liam Neeson and seems like a commercial action entertainer. The awareness, however, is low and there’s too much competition.
Ekta Kapoor creates an elaborate haveli set in Mumbai for Dream Girl 2?
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Sources say Dream Girl 2 maker Ekta had an elaborate haveli set built in Mumbai in 10 days, after she was unimpressed by the original setting of a Jaipur palace
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 23, 2023)
Having previously worked on Dream Girl (2019), producer Ekta Kapoor and director Raaj Shaandilyaa had a clear vision for the world of Dream Girl 2. Mathura, with its narrow bylanes and vibrant energy, was the perfect setting for the Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday-starrer. After an elaborate schedule in Mathura in October 2022, the team was to move to Jaipur to shoot key scenes at the Chomu Palace Hotel, which would be depicted as the grand residence of Paresh Rawal’s character Abu Salim. However, it is heard that only days before the unit was to head to Jaipur, Kapoor scrapped the idea of shooting in Rajasthan, instead asking the production design team to build an elaborate set of a haveli in Mumbai.
Reason? For starters, it turns out that Kapoor wanted a more opulent setting. More importantly, in the aftermath of the pandemic, the cast and crew’s safety was her top priority.
A source from the creative team reveals, “When Ekta saw the pictures of the Chomu Palace, she felt it didn’t look grand enough, and voiced her concerns to Raaj and production designer Rajat Poddar. She also highlighted that travelling with a large team outside Mumbai would be a safety hazard, as COVID-19 cases were still high at the time. While shooting in Mathura was non-negotiable as a chunk of the comedy is set there, Ekta felt the Jaipur leg could be scrapped. She instantly decided to conduct the stint in Mumbai instead.”
After the Mathura schedule was wrapped up mid-October, the production design team began building a lavish set of a palace in Mumbai. The haveli was apparently built in 10 days at Royal Gold Studios, in Aarey Colony, Goregaon.
The source adds, “With the set costing over Rs. 1 crore, the budget shot up. But to Ekta, ensuring her team’s safety and staying true to the vision was far more important. She ensured the set looked exactly as she had imagined it—a majestic structure with Moroccan influences and boasting balconies, corridors and stairways. She wanted it to look glamorous as a pivotal scene, in which Ayushmann’s character gets married, plays out against this backdrop.”
mid-day reached out to Kapoor and Shaandilyaa, who remained unavailable for comment.
We have the best exponents of the comedy genre in Dream Girl 2-Ayushmann Khurrana
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Ayushmann ecstatic to collaborate with some of the finest comic actors, including Annu Kapoor and Paresh Rawal, in Dream Girl 2
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 8, 2023)
Ayushmann Khurrana is almost synonymous with social comedies. But the Dream Girl franchise stands out in his filmography for being one of those few out-and-out laugh riots. A good comedy relies on sharp writing and stellar performances to make an impact. With the upcoming Dream Girl 2, which also stars Ananya Panday, Khurrana says he was aided by talented actors who are masters of the genre.
“I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some of the comic geniuses of our country like Paresh Rawal sir, Asrani sir, Annu Kapoor sir, Rajpal Yadav-ji, Vijay Raaz-ji, Seema Pahwa-ji, Abhishek Banerjee and Manjot Singh. To me, we have the best exponents of the comedy genre in our film. This is one of the biggest USPs of Dream Girl 2,” shares the actor, who reprises the dual roles of Karam and Pooja in the movie.
Comedy is the toughest genre to crack, notes Khurrana. What made his job easier was director Raaj Shaandilyaa’s clear vision for his offering, and the able supporting cast.
The actor adds, “Raaj Shaandilyaa has managed to get this eclectic bunch of fantastic actors under one roof, and kudos to him for this casting coup! Our producer Ektaa Kapoor had the vision that she wanted to create a disruptive comedy. There was never a dull moment on set, and I think [the camaraderie] will translate on screen when people watch the film.”
Tareekh pe tareekh: Bollywood plays musical chairs
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As some big-ticket films shuffle their release dates, experts feel more “shifts” are in the offing
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 6, 2023)
From films managing to lure audiences back to cinemas to new ticket pricing strategies, the year has been eventful for the Hindi film industry. With everything falling in place, makers are not taking any chances, even with release dates. In the past two months, several films have pushed their releases — be it for a “great end product” or due to the domino effect of one big-ticket project getting postponed .
Take, for instance, the Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna-starrer Animal, whose release was recently pushed from August 11 to December 1. Murad Khetani, co-producer, tells us, “We want to give a great end product to the audience and don’t want to take away from our director’s eventual vision.”
However, Fukrey 3 and Meghna Gulzar’s Sam Bahadur are also slated to release on the same date. And Ronnie Screwvala, producer of the latter, is in no mood to push it. “Our date was already announced. It’s the content that works today, not just the Friday opening,” he shares.
Experts help us decode the constant reshuffling and its long-term impact on other films, too.
MORE SHIFTS IN THE OFFING?
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh predicts more shifts in releases due to Animal getting postponed: “Whenever a big film gets pushed, like Adipurush from January to June, and now Jawan, other releases in the month get automatically shifted.”
Khetani adds that filmmakers’ pursuit for a certain standard of product has also impacted these decisions. “Makers have to get the film ready with a certain standard in terms of VFX, sound or post-production. Hence, a lot of dates have been moved,” he explains.
THEATRES REACT
A multiplex representative, without wishing to be named, shares his optimism: “It means audiences get to enjoy a wider range of movies over a longer period of time.”
But Manoj Desai, executive director, G7 Multiplex and Maratha Mandir cinema, feels otherwise: “We don’t have other films to screen when something gets postponed.”
Jawan
Original Date: June 2
New Date: September 7
Animal
Original Date: august 11
New Date: December 1
Fukrey 3
Original Date: November 24
New Date: December 1
Dream Girl 2
Original Date: July 7
New Date: august 25
Yodha
Original Date: July 7
New Date: December 15
People should keep guessing who I’m dating-Ananya Panday
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Ananya Panday is in no mood to disclose her relationship status and is just focusing on projects in the pipeline
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 2, 2023)
In the recent months, speculations about a budding romance between actors Ananya Panday and Aditya Roy Kapur have been making headlines. The duo intensified these rumours when they posed together at designer Manish Malhotra’s Diwali party last year, captivating everyone’s attention. However, Panday chooses to keep her relationship status under wraps, stating, “It’s good to be curious; people should keep guessing who I’m dating.”
While the buzz around her personal life continues, Panday has faced some setbacks on the work front. Both her films — Liger, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Shakun Batra’s Gehraiyaan (both 2022) — failed to gather a significant positive response. Reflecting on these challenges, Panday reveals that she has “learnt valuable lessons”.
“No matter how cliché it sounds, it’s about the journey and not about the destination,” says the 24-year-old, adding, “My lessons are not giving up and not thinking too much about the outcome, but living in the moment and giving it your all.”
Looking ahead, Panday expresses enthusiasm for her upcoming film, Dream Girl 2, alongside Ayushmann Khurrana. She describes her character as “super bubbly and fun”, emphasizing that her “role is crucial in shaping the film’s outcome”. Kho Gaye Hum Kahan is another project that she eagerly anticipates.
The film will be her second collaboration with actor Siddhant Chaturvedi, whom she describes as “one of her closest friends in the industry”. She adds, “We are like Tom and Jerry!”
Furthermore, the actor expresses her eagerness “to venture into the action or thriller genre”, saying, “I don’t want to bore myself and the audience as well, so I am always striving to do something different.”
Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan eyes long weekend for release, following Pathaan's success
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Sources say release of SRK’s Jawan, initially slated for June 2, now pushed to extended weekend of Aug 25; Ayushmann’s Dream Girl 2 may move to Sept
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 6, 2023)
After the roaring success of Pathaan, Shah Rukh Khan is looking to repeat the magic with Jawan. While Atlee’s directorial venture has many factors going for it, it looks like the team will have the added advantage of a long weekend. Trade is abuzz with news that the Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara and Sanya Malhotra-starrer, initially slated to hit the screens on June 2, has now been pushed to August 25. Some suggest the delay is owing to the film’s extensive VFX work.
A trade insider reveals, “Like Pathaan, Jawan too was seeking an extended weekend. The August 25 window fits the plan. After the weekend, the film will have the benefit of two more holidays since August 29 is Onam, and the following day is Raksha Bandhan. The makers are hoping that the Onam weekend will attract fans of Vijay, Nayanthara, and Atlee.”
If the Khan-starrer books the August 25 window, it might affect the release plans of Ayushmann Khurrana’s Dream Girl 2, which was lined up for that day. The source adds, “It’s unlikely that any film will clash with Jawan. In such a scenario, Dream Girl 2 and the subsequent films will probably postpone their release to mid-September.”
I would love to be cast in a women-led film with Sara Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor-Ananya Panday
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Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; April 17, 2023)
The women in Bollywood are coming together for exciting muti-starrers. In recent times, Veere Di Wedding that had Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam K Ahuja, Swara Bhasker and Shikha Talsania in the lead started the trend. The industry was abuzz with excitement when Farhan Akhtar’s Jee Le Zaraa promised to bring together Alia Bhatt, Katrina Kaif and Priyanka Chopra Jonas for a road trip film. This was followed by Veere Di Wedding producer Rhea Kapoor announcing her next – The Crew – starring Kareena, Tabu and Kriti Sanon.
While Ananya Panday has starred in multi-starrers and recently shared screen space with Deepika Padukone in Gehraiyaan, a multi-starrer led by women is definitely on her wish list.
When asked who she would want to team up with for a film on these lines, she immediately said, “I think it would be a lot of fun if they cast Sara (Ali Khan), Janhvi (Kapoor) and me in a film because all our energies are so different. I love them as performers and they are my friends as well. I am sure people would love to watch us together on the big screen.”
Currently, the actress is busy with a bunch of projects that she is excited about. She shared, “I have Kho Gaye Hum Kahan and Dream Girl 2 coming up this year. So, yes, there’s a lot of fun stuff in store.”
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