Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 18, 2018)

Mirror had earlier reported (September 9, 2017) that Farhan Akhtar was on-board Ajay Devgn’s next production, a Hindi remake of National Award-winning Tamil comedy-thriller Jigarthanda, alongside Sanjay Dutt. The actor had confirmed the news, saying, “I met Nishikant (Kamat, director of the remake) and he took me through the journey of the film. It’s a big action-comedydrama, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s something new for me. I liked his last film, Drishyam, and I’ve known Sanju for a really long time. Interestingly, we have similar taste in music, but we’ve never discussed working together. Sanju’s a great chap. I can never base the decision of doing a film on whether it is just about me or not.”

While Sanjay Dutt has stepped into the role of a gangster, Farhan was roped in to play the struggling filmmaker, both parts portrayed in the original by Bobby Sinha and Siddharth respectively. Now, we have learnt that Farhan has opted out of the project, which has been subsequently put on hold for want of replacement. It was initially scheduled to go on the floors by January or March. A source close to the development reveals, “The deal with Farhan did not work out due to several logistical differences between the actor and the filmmakers. The team is now looking for another actor to step into the role of a struggling filmmaker who sets out to make a documentary on a ruthless gangster.”

DNA (November 23, 2017)

One hears that Farhan Akhtar who green-lit a film with Sanjay Dutt, directed by Nishikant Kamat, has reportedly opted out of the movie even before it could go on the floor. The film, which was to be the official remake of the Tamil movie Jigarthanda, was to be produced by Ajay Devgn. It is said that after the debacle of Lucknow Central, Farhan wants to rethink his entire strategy.

Source say that Farhan is revisiting most scripts that have been offered to him and wants time to reassess his acting assignments before he rushes into them.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 7, 2017)

Mirror (August 31) was the first to inform that Ajay Devgn is producing a film featuring Sanjay Dutt and Farhan Akhtar in the lead. It will be directed by Nishikant Kamat and will roll by December- January.

Last month, Farhan confirmed the news (Mirror, September 9) revealing further that it’s a big action-comedy-drama. “I liked Nishikanth’s last film, Drishyam, very much and I’ve known Sanju for a really long time. Interestingly, we have similar tastes in music but we’ve never discussed working together. He’s a great chap,” Farhan had pointed out.

Now, Mirror has learnt that like Drishyam, the Hindi remake of Jeethu Joseph’s 2013 Malayalam hit of the same name which had Ajay take over from Mohanlal as the leading man, Ajay and Nishikant’s next is also a remake. It adapts the 2014 National Award-winning Tamil black comedy-thriller, Jigarthanda.

The film’s title is inspired by a cold beverage available in Tamil Nadu. The original was written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj. Producer Kathiresan had been scouting for a filmmaker for the Hindi remake after the Kannada and Telugu rights were sold. The film will now be produced by Ajay and his collaborator-producer, Abhinav Shuklaa, under their joint banner. “Nishikant is closely working on the film’s creatives with Farhan and Ajay,” a source informed.

Farhan will play a struggling filmmaker while Sanjay is a gangster. The original was set in Madhurai but the adaptation will be based in Maharashtra. South star Siddharth had played an assistant director who, after being thrown out of a reality TV show, decides to make a film on real-life gangster, Assault Sethy, played by Bobby Simha, who bagged the National Award for Best Supporting Actor for his quirky yet gritty portrayal of a don. “There were several other characters in the original. Casting for the Hindi remake is presently underway,” the source added.