After a year-long hiatus, actor will kick off sequel of his 2017 comedy with Radhika Madan in Rajasthan
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 4, 2019)

On March 15 last year, Irrfan Khan revealed that he had been diagnosed with NeuroEndocrine Tumour and soon afterwards, flew to London for treatment. While he returned to India a few times after that, it was a picture of him exiting producer Dinesh Vijan’s suburban office on March 15 this year that sparked rumours of a comeback. Now, Mirror has learnt that Irrfan, who is presently in Rajasthan for a personal commitment, is all set to start shooting for Hindi Medium 2 next week in the state with Radhika Madan joining the cast as his daughter.

“Irrfan and Radhika started prep a while ago and are looking forward to kick off the first schedule in Rajasthan. It’s an important portion after which they will take off for the international schedule. It was initially planned to be set in the US but will now take place in London for which the team recently conducted a recce,” informs a source close to the development.

A day after he was spotted at the Mumbai airport, Irrfan announced his comeback with a note, thanking his well-wishers for their support. “Maybe somewhere in the pursuit of winning, we forget how much it means to be loved. In our vulnerability, we are reminded. As I leave my footprints onto these steps of my life, I want to pause to be grateful for receiving your immense love and support, it soothed me in my process of healing. So, I travel back to you, thanking you from the bottom of my heart,” the note read.

Reportedly, Kareena Kapoor has been roped in to play the leading lady and will join the cast after wrapping up Raj Mehta’s directorial debut, Good News. Mirror had earlier reported (February 19, 2018) that Homi Adajania is taking over the directorial reins of Hindi Medium 2 from Saket Chaudhary. Admitting that he had practically gate-crashed the narration of the sequel, Homi had said, “It’s been a while since I found any material so amusing yet emotional.”

Hindi Medium released in 2017 and revolved around a well-off Chandni Chowk couple (played by Irrfan and Saba Qamar) who aspire to break into the elite society and give their daughter the best education possible. The sleeper hit fetched Irrfan a Filmfare award for Best Actor at the 63 rd edition of the awards ceremony, where the film had snagged six nods in major categories, and also claimed Best Film trophy.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 30, 2019)

Rumours have been rife that Kareena Kapoor Khan will join Irrfan Khan in the sequel to Hindi Medium (2017). In the latest development, mid-day has learnt that Kapoor will be seen as a cop in the Homi Adajania-directed venture.

A source close to the actor reveals, "While the film kicks off in April, Kareena will join the unit only by May-end during the London schedule. She will be seen as a cop in the satire. While she loved the script, Kareena was just as excited to play a police officer for the first time in her 19-year-long career. She intends to wrap up the sequel by November, in time to begin shooting for Karan Johar's period drama Takht." We sent a text to Adajania and producer Dinesh Vijan, who hadn't responded till the time of going to press.

Dinesh Vijan who after Badlapur, Hindi Medium and Stree is hoping to bust the box-office with more films growing out of the heartland
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 25, 2019)

Lots of buzz around the Hindi Medium sequel which is supposed to be Irrfan Khan’s comeback film. What’s happening on that front?
Hindi Medium is a special film because it brought us so much love and appreciation. It’s important Part 2 lives up to expectations. The script is currently being fine-tuned. Irrfan is a close friend and he’s been very strong. It’s only fair that any announcement come formally at the right time. For now, it’s time for Luka Chuppi, a beautifully written comedy, like Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s films.

It’s a catchy title…
Yeah, well, India is a ‘connected’ country in that everybody in a family is involved with each other’s lives. In such an environment, it can be disastrous to lie. If you do, it results in a comedy of errors which may be funny for the world but dangerous for the ones involved. That’s the concept of our film.

Can a quirky family film make the cash counters jingle?
Last year, the audience made it clear that we are no longer aspirational about the West but just as proud of our own country. We want to see Indian stories and there are so many fascinating stories in the heartland which if executed well will definitely find takers. It’s not about a particular type of cinema, but about novelty as evidenced in the films that worked—a diverse spectrum from AndhaDhun and Badhaai Ho to my own horror-comedy Stree.

You must be relieved as a producer to see content-driven films work irrespective of stars as that makes a project economically viable?
The most important decision is which story to tell and that’s determined by gut instinct. The logistics will eventually fall into place if you make the film sensibly. The so-called small films are no longer doing a business of just Rs 30-40 crore, they are earning big bucks. The script is the real hero of the film today.

Won’t Luka Chuppi’s releasing during the exam period hamper its prospects given that its lead pair (Kartik Aryan, Kriti Sanon) and premise are targetted to the youth?
It’s a family film, but that aside, if not exams, there will be the IPL or something else. Last year, Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety worked during the exam period.

What’s your take on live-in relationships?
(Laughs) I haven’t tried it and I am a married man now, so I shouldn’t really have a take on this. Also, this film is more a comedy of errors than a take on live-in relationship. Personally, I believe in marriage, but in today’s time, it is important to connect with loved ones.

Next up, Arjun Patiala…
That’s a spoof in the cop genre with a beautiful supporting cast in Ronit Roy, Seema Pahwa, Zeeshan Ayyub, along with the leads, Diljit Dosanjh, Kriti Sanon and Varun Sharma.

And Made In China with Rajkummar Rao?
That is a story of a struggling Gujarati businessman and his journey to becoming an entrepreneur. I saw the film recently and I am proud of it. The subject is relevant.

What can we expect from Ayushmann Khurrana’s Bala?
Well, he’s playing a small-town guy who suffers from premature balding and the film underlines the need to love yourself for who you are. It is hilarious and will redefine quirk in our cinema. Not many understand the heartland as well as our director Amar Kaushik who gave us Stree earlier.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; February 14, 2019)

We have missed one of our finest actors — Irrfan — in the movies this past year. On March 16, 2018, he took to Twitter to announce that he has been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour, a rare form of cancer. The news was an emotional jolt to him and his fans. After undergoing treatment in London, we have now learnt that the actor is back in Mumbai.

While it was reported that Irrfan will resume shoot on February 22 for the sequel to Hindi Medium, our source close to the actor denied the news. He said, “Yes, Irrfan is back in Mumbai, but he hasn’t given any date as to when he will resume shooting. He is taking things slowly.”

Bhushan Kumar, (co-producer of Hindi Medium and its sequel with Dinesh Vijan) told BT, “Hindi Medium 2 will happen, but it will take time. It is not going on floors on February 22 as reported. The film will happen only with Irrfan. His fans and audiences need to wait a bit more. We will surely make an announcement soon.”

Our source also denied the news of Irrfan being admitted to a Mumbai hospital. He clarified, “Irrfan has been given a sanction from the London hospital to shift base to Mumbai, where he can continue with his treatment. He is here now, but he hasn’t been admitted to any suburban hospital as reported. He will consult the doctors as and when required. People should stop speculating and give him some space.” 

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; August 27, 2018)

After Hrs had reported that Filmistaan director Nitin Kakkar had cracked an interesting casting coup for his next film. He had roped in Saif Ali Khan to share screen space with his real-life daughter Sara Ali Khan.

Our source tells us, “The father-daughter drama was supposed to roll out in March 2019. They were talking about shooting it in London and Mumbai. Though Saif and Sara had not signed the contract, they had agreed verbally. The team was also looking out for an older heroine to play Sara’s mother.”

But now, the project has reportedly been shelved. Reveals our informer, “Sara walked out of the film. She has given her dates to another project.” She will apparently make her debut this year with Rohit Shetty’s Simmba while Kedarnath has been pushed for an early 2019 release.

That’s not all. Since the film was going to bring Sara and Saif together for the first time, her dad, too, might take a similar route. The khabri informs, “Saif was keen on doing the film only because it had Sara as the leading lady. Although it’s a great script, he, too, is reconsidering the offer.” Meanwhile, we hear he might shoot for Anurag Basu’s next project around the same time.

Apparently, Sara is back in the Hindi Medium sequel. “After Irrfan fell sick, the sequel was put on hold. But recently, producer Dinesh Vijan and director Homi Adajania narrated the script to Irrfan, who’s on the road to recovery. The actor has liked the idea and the makers are expected to begin the shoot sometime next year. Since the sequel will have a time lapse of 10 years, Sara, who was the original choice, is right for it,” the source adds.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; June 26, 2018)

Hindi Medium, starring Irrfan Khan, turned out to be one of the sleeper hits of 2017. It collected around Rs 63 crore at the BO and a few months down the line, the makers announced a sequel, too. Hindi Medium 2 is expected to go on floors by the end of this year. Owing to his ill-health, Irrfan is unlikely to be a part of the second instalment of the franchise.

However, now we have learnt that apparently all’s not well between producer Dinesh Vijan and director Saket Chaudhary, who had helmed the first part. A source says, “Dinu announced Hindi Medium 2 with Homi Adajania (his long-term associate, who had also helped him with his directorial debut Raabta) and reportedly Saket wasn’t even informed about it. He learnt about it only when the news was out.” Saket’s omission from the second part came as a shock to the film trade since he had ideated and designed the whole film. One of the major reasons behind this alleged fallout between the filmmaker and producer happens to be a financial tussle between the two.

Our source informs, “Dinu had promised Saket a certain remuneration to helm the comedy-drama. Despite it making a clear profit, he is yet to clear Saket’s dues. Things worsened so much that when Hindi Medium got the Best Film Award at a ceremony earlier this year, the producer didn’t even invite the director on stage. He refused to acknowledge Saket’s presence completely.”

We reached out to Saket, who told us that he’s out of the country, without confirming or denying the story. We sent text messages to Dinesh, too, but he didn’t respond till the time of going to press.

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 19, 2018)

Ever since Mirror reported that a sequel to Hindi Medium was in the works, with Irrfan Khan returning as Delhi-based businessman Raj Batra, but without Saket Chaudhary, speculations have been rife about who’d be handed the baton of the director. Now, Mirror has learnt Homi Adajania will take the quirky comedy franchise forward.

Producer Dinesh Vijan confirmed the news, saying, “Homi doesn’t make films very often as he refuses to do stuff that doesn’t bowl him over. But when I narrated this one to him, he loved it. And when I saw his reaction, it was a no-brainer! I guess from our production house’s stable of directors, Homi was the most unlikely choice for Hindi Medium 2 and that’s exactly why I have signed him on.”

Their collaboration dates back to Homi’s directorial debut, Being Cyrus in 2006, an English black comedy around a dysfunctional Parsi couple (Boman Irani and Dimple Kapadia), also featuring Saif Ali Khan. This was followed by the Hindi romcom, Cocktail, with Saif, Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty. Dinesh gave the same reason for signing Homi to direct Cocktail, a Saif-Dinesh co-production. The latter went solo with Homi’s 2014 satirical road movie, Finding Fanny, with an ensemble cast of Naseeruddin Shah, Dimple, Pankaj Kapur, Deepika and Arjun Kapoor.

Quiz Dinesh on why Saket has dropped off the radar and he says, “He is busy with other commitments. But Homi is a fantastic and very hands-on father, so I knew he would completely identify with the father-daughter relationship which is the crux of the film.”

It is doubtful if Pakistani actress Saba Qamar, will return in the sequel. Dinesh will not be drawn into a discussion on this or if Irrfan might have another love interest. All he admits is that the story flashforwards by a decade and now is as much Raj’s story as his daughter Pia who’s finished high school in Hindi medium and figuring what to do next. Talks are on with Saif and Amrita Singh’s daughter Sara to play Pia who’s as headstrong and opinionated as her mom, Meeta.

“The original was very well received by the audience and the industry alike. It even won the Best Film at the Filmfare Awards, along with Best Actor for Irrfan. It’s the kind of story with memorable characters that warrants a sequel and I felt that it would be apt to do it sooner while the characters are fresh in the audience’s mind. It’s well crafted, keeping in mind the consistency of these colourful characters,” asserts Dinesh, acknowledging that it is about what has transpired in these 10 years and what is to come. “Part 2 will have a longer role for Deepak Dobriyal as Shyam whose son Mohan is also making some important choices on higher education and career goals.”

Does he plan to take his desi story to videsi shores? “Wait and watch. The original raised pertinent questions about our education system and society. We will continue with that thread of thought and touch on other relevant issues again,” the filmmmaker says.

Buzz is, the title will be English Medium the second time around but Dinesh is sure he wants to go with Hindi Medium 2. “Hindi Medium is a brand now and the idea is to spin a commercially successful franchise with Raj Batra as the fulcrum,” he reasons.

Homi admits he stumbled on this project quite by chance. “I ambled into Dinoo’s (Dinesh Vijan) room and he was sitting down to a narration. I had enjoyed the first one (Hindi Medium) and the way these writers have taken the narrative forward is very clever. So yeah, I pretty much gatecrashed the narration and it was so engaging and hilarious that I told him I’d be happy to direct it if he had no director attached to the project. It’s been a while since I’ve found any material so amusing yet emotional,” he signs off.

Buzz is, the young actress has been approached to play a teenager in the Hindi Medium sequel
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 13, 2018)

Irrfan Khan who took home the coveted Black Lady for his performance in Hindi Medium at this year’s Filmfare awards in January, has revealed that producer Dinesh Vijan is working on a sequel. It will flash-forward by a decade, with his five-year-old daughter Pia now in her teens, and is expected to roll in August. The 51-year old actor will return to play Raj Batra, a rich Delhi-based businessman whose life goal, in the original, was to fulfil his wife’s dream and get their daughter into an English medium school.

Mirror has now learnt that Sara Ali Khan who will be making her Bollywood debut with Abhishek Kapoor’s Kedarnath, alongside Sushant Singh Rajput, could play the teenage Pia in the sequel. According to a source, the makers are really keen on Sara who is the daughter of Saif Ali Khan, Dinesh’s former business partner who collaborated with him on films like Being Cyrus, Love Aaj Kal, Agent Vinod, Cocktail, Go Goa Gone and Happy Ending. Her mother, Amrita Singh, has played the principal of the English medium Delhi Grammar School in the original.

“Sara is one of the top contenders to play the daughter,” informs a source, adding that Pakistani actress Saba Qamar who played her mother is unlikely to make a comeback.

When Mirror contacted Dinesh, all he was willing to say was, “I have just finished the script and I am going to get into the casting now.”

Produced by Dinesh and T-Series head honcho Bhushan Kumar, Hindi Medium 2 will be a fresh take on the Indian educational system with little reference to the original.