Junglee Pictures has announced its collaboration with filmmaker Raj Kumar Gupta for an ambitious tentpole film, to be directed by him, marking the coming together of two creative forces known for delivering engaging, rooted narratives that resonate powerfully with audiences.

The versatile filmmaker, best known for the successful Raid franchise, and films such as No One Killed Jessica and Aamir, has carved a distinct space in Indian cinema with stories grounded in realism, sharp observation, massy entertainment while remaining high in emotion and drama. He is fresh off the success of Raid 2, one of the top 10 highest grossing theatrical films of 2025.

Over the years, the banner has built a formidable filmography, championing meaningful and disruptive narratives across genres. The studio began its journey with Dil Dhadakne Do and went on to produce critically acclaimed films such as Badhaai Ho, Raazi, Talvar, Badhaai Do and Bareilly Ki Barfi . Moreover, its 2025 releases Haq and the Malayalam film Ronth, have received widespread acclaim during their theatrical and streaming runs.

The yet-to-be titled film has completed scripting, with casting set to begin shortly. It is said to be a gripping, intense narrative reflecting the director’s signature style while pushing the envelope in terms of impact.

Speaking of the collaboration Vineet Jain, MD, The Times Group shared, “Junglee Pictures has always focused on backing distinctive, relatable stories with lasting cultural value. This collaboration with Raj reflects the studio’s intent to join forces with filmmakers who strengthen its slate through purposeful, impact-driven cinema, bringing quality storytelling with relevance, scale and audience connection. This film will also be a true tentpole for Junglee bold and impactful, rooted in realism.”

Raj Kumar Gupta added, “I’ve always been drawn to narratives grounded in reality that also have the ability to connect with audiences on a larger canvas. This film is conceived as a hard-hitting, immersive, engaging and entertaining theatrical experience. Junglee Pictures has a strong legacy of backing thoughtful, content-led cinema, making this collaboration feel like a natural alignment. I’m excited to collaborate with them.”

Speaking about the association, producing partner, Myra Karn said, “Junglee Pictures brings together heart, vision and fearless storytelling. Its bold innovative approach meets Raj Kumar Gupta’s unflinching storytelling, crafting stories that questions the status quo. This collaboration is special, and I am honoured to be part of this dream team.”

While further details of the story remain under wraps, the film promises a compelling experience that blends strong narrative depth with wide audience appeal.

After winning critical acclaim for Sam Bahadur (2023), director Meghna Gulzar has dived into her next, Daayra, a crime-drama thriller starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in lead roles. For the film, Meghna reunites with Junglee Pictures for the third time, after delivering powerful films such as Raazi and Talvar together. The upcoming film taps into the pulse of the people as it confronts the topical and diabolical realities unfolding in society today. This crime-drama thriller explores the age-old paradox of crime, punishment and justice.

Kareena shares, “As I celebrate 25 incredible years in Hindi cinema, I’m thrilled to announce my next film, Daayra, with the incredible Meghna Gulzar in the director’s chair. I’ve long admired her work and to be directed by her is a dream come true. The opportunity to collaborate with the talented Prithviraj is also a highlight, and I’m drawn to the film’s bold, thought-provoking narrative.”

Fresh off the success of his Malayalam film L2 Empuraan, Prithviraj who is now stepping into this Hindi film, says, “I was thoroughly absorbed by my character in this film and what he brings to the table as the story progresses. It is layered and will definitely connect with the masses. Working with Meghna Gulzar’s vision and an actor like Kareena Kapoor will be a great collaborative experience.”

Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar shares, “Daayra is a story that compels you to reflect on the society we live in and its institutions that pilot us. With co-writers Sima and Yash, unravelling the greys within the black and white, was both challenging and exciting. And as Kareena and Prithviraj bring the lead characters to life, the narrative dynamics are all set to elevate further. It’s always creatively gratifying to collaborate with Junglee Pictures, known for backing compelling stories.”

Talking about the film that is currently in pre-production, a spokesperson for Junglee Pictures added, “We are so proud to be making Daayra. Meghna’s exceptional craft, deep sensitivity, and knack for blending entertainment and substance make her the ideal collaborator to bring this vision to life. We are fortunate to have a dream casting with Kareena and Prithviraj taking on the lead roles.”

Some directors are a ball of nerves days before a film’s release. In contrast, Sudhanshu Saria enjoys this window, as his Ulajh is little over a week away from its release. “Right now, I feel the same joy that I felt when I first read the draft that Parveez Sheikh wrote. Ulajh belongs to a genre I have not worked in before. The setting of Indian Foreign Services [IFS] was so compelling. Bravery and patriotism come in all shapes and sizes; that was the idea of the story,” he smiles.

Ulajh revolves around a young IFS officer who becomes a pawn in a high-stakes conspiracy. While the spy thriller includes a fine cast of Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Mathew, Adil Hussain and Rajesh Tailang, it puts Janhvi Kapoor front and centre. The National Award-winning director underlines that he consciously tells stories with women protagonists—be it his series Big Girls Don't Cry, or his upcoming film Sanaa.

“I like the idea of a balanced world when it comes to gender politics. In Ulajh too, this is her story, and yet little is affected by her gender. She is a hero who happens to be a woman. Parveez made the original choice, and I took it forward. The traditional notion is that action is about muscles, so, it is a male category. But spy films are about smarts. Movies like these expand the idea that there cannot be a gender lens in genres. All genres can belong to all actors.”

For Saria, the film’s highlight is Kapoor, who matched his passion every step of the way. “Janhvi got wind of this script existing. She came after us, and there was no getting away from her. I was excited that I found a passionate partner. When I met her, I loved that she was willing to be a part of my process; nothing scared her. We did extensive workshops to make sure the part and the film fit her like a glove.”

In a much-needed change, Ulajh also features names of all writers prominently on the poster. Saria credits the studio for taking that rare call.

“It’s wonderful to see Junglee Studios pamper their creative talent. We collectively felt the important thing in Ulajh is its story. I laud the studio for doing its bit in correcting the fact that historically writers’ work is undervalued.”

Junglee Pictures, known for making genre-defining films like Talvar, Raazi, Badhaai Ho and Badhaai Do, is gearing up to bring to the screen an epic drama-thriller. Titled Dosa King, the film was announced in July last year after the team acquired the life rights of Jeevajothi Santhakumar.

The project, which is currently being developed, will be directed by filmmaker T J Gnanavel, who will make his debut in Hindi cinema with this movie. Known for his widely relatable storytelling style and his flair for creating characters that cross the language and culture barriers, Gnanavel’s recent work includes the critically-acclaimed Tamil film Jai Bhim, which was also written by him. He is known for films like Payanam (Tamil-Telugu) and Kootathil Oruthan (Tamil) and is currently working on another project with National Award-winner Suriya.

Dosa King is inspired by Jeevajothi Santhakumar’s life and battle against a restaurant mogul, who was accused of a crime that shocked the nation. It resulted in a conviction after a trial that went on for 18 years – P Rajagopal vs State of Tamil Nadu. The film depicts Jeevajothi’s fight against her powerful opponent, who was the owner of one of the largest South Indian restaurant chains in the world. He was an Indian restaurateur, better known as a family man, who was worshipped for his generosity not only by his employees, but also by the diners. His pursuit of the unwilling Jeevajothi, who was less than half his age at the time, led to him being accused and eventually convicted for her husband, Prince Santhakumar’s murder. The Supreme Court served justice almost two decades after the crime was committed.

Sharing his excitement, T J Gnanavel says, “I’ve observed the subject closely, following the case during my days as a journalist. I hope to bring out new dimensions through Jeevajothi’s legal battle on screen. Today, directing this project and working on its characters feels surreal. I am excited to begin this journey with Junglee Pictures, which is known for developing some of the most iconic films in contemporary Indian cinema.”

A spokesperson from Junglee Pictures shares, “Dosa King is a riveting tale that will require a keen eye for detailing the characters and story. Gnanavel’s years as a journalist make him a balanced filmmaker with an obsession for details and authenticity. We’re beyond excited to partner with him to bring this captivating, unbelievable and inspiring saga to life.”

Junglee Pictures’ exciting slate this year also includes films like Doctor G, Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan?, Ulajh and Click Shankar.

Known for its celebrated catalogue of films, Junglee Pictures has announced its next high-concept thriller titled Click Shankar. Shankar Rebeiro is a cop who never forgets a sight, sound, taste, smell or feeling, while ‘Click’ is synonymous with the click of a camera for his photographic memory recall. 

Unravelling the mystery will be a one-of-a-kind lead character — a witty yet troubled inspector who remembers everything, that is both a boon and curse for him. Shankar Rebeiro has a rare condition called hyperthymesia, which enables him to remember every event of his life, (contrary to the popular character from Ghajini), ensuring that the past is never quite behind him.

Following Shankar’s journey through a roller-coaster of emotions and suspenseful twists and turns, this character-driven subject is a perfect blend of action, humour and heart. Complementing the protagonist will be a strong female lead to match his sharp charisma and add an essence of intrigue to this narrative.

After the huge box-office success of thrillers like Raazi and Talvar, Junglee Pictures has once again put together an exciting team for Click Shankar. The film is to be helmed by acclaimed director Balaji Mohan, who will bring his unique comic sensibility as seen in films like Maari 1 and 2 (Rowdy Baby song fame) and Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi. The story and screenplay are written by Binky Mendez alongside Balaji Mohan, and the dialogues are by Sumit Arora (Stree, The Family Man — Season 1) and Suraj Gianani.

Director Balaji Mohan shares, “This film needed a unique vision for its treatment with the protagonist being an original, one-of-a-kind character. An amalgamation of something deep, dark and edgy is wrapped with humour to keep the audience guessing and at the edge of their seats till the end. These synergies wouldn’t have matched better with anyone other than the Junglee Pictures team and developing this project with them has been a superb experience. I found this to be the perfect film to make my debut in Hindi cinema with, and we cannot wait to present all that is in the making.”

A spokesperson from Junglee Pictures added, “The concept of Click Shankar originated from within the Junglee Pictures’ creative team as a character-driven franchise. Binky’s distinctive writing expertise on the story and screenplay along with Balaji’s mastery of commercial sensibilities and well-defined mass appeal have enhanced the narrative of this film. Sumit and Suraj have taken it to the next level with sharp and entertaining dialogues. More importantly, there is heart to this thriller genre, making it an exciting opportunity to create something unique.”

With genre-defining films like Badhaai Do, Badhaai Ho, Raazi and Talvar, Junglee Pictures is all set for 2022 with an exciting slate of upcoming films, starting with Doctor G, Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan?, Dosa King, Ulajh and Click Shankar, to name a few.

After enjoying the box-office success with one of the biggest family comedy-dramas, Badhaai Ho, Junglee Pictures Limited, also known for producing high-concept and entertaining films like Raazi, Bareilly Ki Barfi and Talvar, is all set with its next titled Ulajh — a stylised espionage drama with high scale production.

To be fronted by an A-list actress, the film is a high-octane, female-led spy thriller and is expected to be an edge-of-the-seat, visual delight with twists and turns. The studio has joined hands with director Sudhanshu Saria who won a National Award for his film Knock Knock Knock (2019). Sudhanshu has previously directed the critically-acclaimed film Loev, and is currently working on two series, including the third season of Delhi Crime, which will stream on leading OTT platforms.

Ulajh, penned by veteran writer Parveez Sheikh of Queen and Bajrangi Bhaijaan fame, is a script that has generated a lot of excitement and anticipation within the industry. The film will be one of the few female-led espionage thrillers to be shot extensively in scenic international locations and will go on floors in 2022. The movie follows a female protagonist from a prominent family of patriots, who gets embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while she is far from home turf on her first international posting.

Sudhanshu shares, “In a time of perfection and superheroes, it’s wonderful to have a script that dares to look at the themes of failure and redemption in a relevant and gripping way. Parveez has written an edge-of-the-seat thriller with a phenomenal female protagonist, and I can’t wait to bring it to life for audiences worldwide.”

A spokesperson from Junglee Pictures adds, “Ulajh is a high-concept script with a strong female protagonist, which promises to keep you gripped till the end. Action, drama and Sudhanshu’s flair for showcasing unique concepts is the perfect mix for this thinking thriller, and we are extremely excited to bring this stylised drama to the audiences.”

Junglee Pictures is set to enter 2022 with an exciting slate of films from various genres, including Badhaai Do, Doctor G, Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan, Dosa King and Ulajh, to name a few.

I spent an evening with Vishal Bhardwaj recently, and came back with a book - The Exile - that he strongly recommended. A fortnight later, having read through the book, my worldview slightly altered, I sat with him again to understand why he had so recommended it - and, as you have guessed by now, to get a sense of how, and why, he seems keen to bring it to life on the big screen.

The Exile's strapline on the cover describes it as “The Stunning Inside Story Of Osama Bin Laden And Al Qaeda In Flight“, which is a pretty decent summary. Turns out, all the while we thought Osama was America's problem, he was our problem as well - the Parliament attack in Delhi had its roots in keeping OBL safe in a far-off corner of Pakistan. Turns out all of Al-Qaeda did not want 9/11 to happen, with the sole exception of OBL.

Why has Vishal been reading it? “These writers - Cathy Scott-Clark and Adrian Levy - wrote The Siege, on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. It is a very dramatic, very well-written book. Their research is amazing. They have written books on events that have impacted Asia. And in doing so, they have had access of exceptional levels to the insurgency and the counter-insurgency structures across much of the world.“

So this begins with The Siege? “No, even prior to that, I had read their The Meadows. It was recommended to me by my cameraman, Tasadduq, who is Mufti sahab's son. While we were filming Omkara, I would keep saying to him, 'Yaar, mujhe Kashmir ke upar film karni hai'. One day, after the movie, he met me at an airport and said, you were talking about Kashmir, do read The Meadows, no one has written such a book on Kashmir so far. I read it - and I was very impressed with their work. And then, when I read The Siege, I wanted to get its rights, but they had sold it to a US producer at that point of time. We have stayed in touch since then.“

Right. Vishal has a thing for the stories set in turmoil - from Maachis to Haider. No wonder this has him unable to disengage. So how did The Exile idea come about? “About a year back, they came to meet me and we had another chat about The Siege. During that chat, I asked them about what they were working on next. They told me about the next book they were working on - The Exile - and I was sold on it in one line, when they said it's “the prequel to Zero Dark Thirty.“ That got me hooked. They spoke about how Osama was evacuated from Tora Bora (in Afghanistan) when troops were just thirty feet away, and explained how the terror attack on India's Parliament was linked to Osama's escape. How the S Wing of the ISI kept guarding Osama for 9-10 years since it ensured the flow of millions of US dollars and enabled them to have some aces hidden up their sleeve, some strings in their hands. They explained to me that we have seen Zero Dark Thirty from the American soldier's side - this book is from what was happening inside that complex.“

“I was completely hooked“, says Vishal, “and I wanted to read it. I signed a Non Disclosure Agreement and reading it only convinced me further that I wanted a film like this, a global film, to come out of India, on a global story like this. We have been so trained to only cater to our market, and we have been so conditioned, that to break out of that is a very difficult task. All that we talk about is the opening of a film.“

That's stating the obvious ­ but since we're talking, an insight on why that's the case, Vishal? “Our audience internally is so huge that it is more than sufficient for us to recover what we put into making our movies. Add to it the Indian audience abroad and it's a massive number. Which is why we never feel the need to reach out. We don't need to cater to a larger audience.“

Isn't that in a sense similar to how Bhojpuri cinema functions within India? “Exactly!“ he exclaims. “ And that is why we are the Bhojpuri cinema of the world! I wanted to go beyond that. So I took this to Junglee Pictures (that produced Talvar, which Vishal wrote). And we agreed that there must be some liberation from the stereotype. It's time for India to tell a global story, a story that everyone needs to know.“

So, to cut a long story short, after all the discussions, the NDA, the readings, the chats with Junglee Pictures, what has happened is that: a) Junglee Pictures has bought the rights to the book, b) Junglee Pictures and Vishal are co-producing a film based on this story, titled Abbottabad, which, needless to add, c) is Vishal's next directorial venture.

But then we've all seen Zero Dark Thirty, Geronimo, and such stuff. What will be different in this story?
“The White House was an active participant in the production of Zero Dark Thirty,“ says Vishal, in a very matter-of-fact tone. “The US is very sensitive to its global profile. That narrative is aimed at the justification of the torture model, to in a sense argue that Osama could not have been reached without this route - which is not really true. While the journey of the CIA from Tora Bora to Abbottabad - as narrated in Zero Dark Thirty - was absolutely fascinating, this film will show you the other side of that fascinating story -all this while they were hunting him, how was the antagonist able to keep them at bay.“

As the Junglee Pictures team elaborates, there is so much the world is not fully familiar with. We have understood this story from the Western point - but we perhaps don't understand it from the Asian point. And they are clear that they are “not fictionalizing the story, only dramatizing it“.



So what should India, Asia, and the rest of the world expect from this project? What is the story you are going to tell? “The story is - What was Osama doing in all the time between Tora Bora and the day the choppers landed in Abbottabad? How did he spend those years? How did he configure a dish antenna to stay clued in to TV on 9/11? How did they move from Karachi to Swat Valley to Abbottabad? How did the house at Abbottabad get built? How did his wives get to him? How did he record and send out his messages for so long without being intercepted? This ten-year journey is so gripping, so interesting, there is so much we don't really know or at least talk about,“

Vishal is by now bubbling over with excitement. “Did you know Parvez Musharraf, on several occasions when he was in Abbottabad, used to go jogging on a route that passed right in front of the house where Bin Laden was? Did you know that the attack on the Indian Parliament was timed in order to give Osama breathing space and enabled his escape from Tora Bora? How can you stay a fugitive with all the Western world out to get you, with all the technology, all the satellites - how do you dodge it all? With the ISI as partners in hunting him, at least officially, while one part of the ISI knew all along - this story is fascinating. There is so much to be told!“

Is OBL, therefore, the primary character? “Yes and no. We are looking at this film from the perspective of the man who is chosen to guard and host the most important guest of Al-Qaeda in this house - Ibrahim. He kept guarding and protecting Osama for years. You need a protagonist to tell this story, and Osama Bin Laden cannot be this person. Ibrahim is a very relatable character - the rest are all so larger-than-life. The story starts from the point where this man is in awe of the guest, to the point where he feels compelled to give him an eviction notice. How, for ten years, Ibrahim's wife didn't know that the person living upstairs in their house was Osama Bin Laden!“

Well, clearly, for the six years since the Abbottabad raid, there's much that we haven't known, too. That may change when this story makes it to the big screen. The prequel to Zero Dark Thirty being made out of India - now, who would have thought of that!

Almost half a century after Rajesh Khanna's Haathi Mere Saathi in 1971, Junglee Pictures has tied up with Hollywood A-lister Chuck Russell for an action-adventure revolving around a man and an elephant. Featuring Vidyut Jammwal as a veterinarian-turned-activist-avenger, the film, titled Junglee, will be directed by Chuck. The American writer-director made his directorial debut with the slasher fantasy A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors which at the time of its release in 1987 was the highest grossing independent film ever made. This was followed by the Oscar-nominated Jim Carrey superhero comedy, The Mask, Arnold Schwarzenegger's action-thriller Eraser and The Scorpion King which was Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's first lead role. Chuck was also the executive producer on the critically-acclaimed Michael Mann-directed neo-noir crime thriller Collateral (2004). Junglee rolls in October and is targeting a summer 2018 release.

“We reached out to Chuck saying that we had a story which is set locally but could appeal to him since it touches on an issue of global significance, with the United Nations lobbying to end poaching and the ivory movement. He read it, came down to India to meet and discuss the structure with Ritesh (Shah) who has written this heart-warming story and us, agreed to direct it and will be flying in next month to start prep,“ informs Priti Shahani, President, Junglee Pictures.

She points out that Chuck was their go-to guy because animals are a part of his narratives, be it the dog in The Mask or the camels in The Scorpion King. “Also, surprisingly, for an American director, he loves song and dance which will be an integral part of our commercial entertainer with a message,“ Priti maintains.

The action-thriller unfolds in the jungles of Kerala with Vidyut's character, Ashwath, coming home from Mumbai for his mother's 10th death anniversary and reuniting with his elephant friend. It will be shot in the state's elephant reserve. “The stunning location is a part of the storytelling and from the research perspective, the poaching trail in India starts from Kerala, passes through Orissa and Kolkata in West Bengal to head to Thailand,“ informs Priti, quick to add that the animals will not be expected to perform any tricks, rather the makers are working closely with animal handlers to understand how elephants behave in their natural habitat and in their interaction with humans. “The script is being written around them,“ she adds.

Like Chuck, Vidyut is an apt choice for this one-of-a-kind thriller which will not have the typical five action pieces but will focus on Kalaripayattu, a form of martial arts which originated in Kerala. “This kind of action is rarely seen in our films or those made in the West. Vidyut is a trained Kalaripayattu artiste so he's the perfect actor to tell our story,“ asserts Priti.

With Chuck on board now, will Junglee turn it into an English film? “We have written it primarily for a Hindi-speaking audience but Chuck's involvement reinstates that the story has the ability to connect with an international audience too and can be turned into a Hindi-English bilingual,“ says Priti, pointing out that what really inspired the story was that in the last 18 months there has been a concerted global movement towards protecting elephants. “One of the images that has stayed with us is of Kenya, on April 30, 2016, reducing 105 tons of elephant ivory, along with 1.35 tons of rhino horn - the remains of 6,500 elephants and 450 rhinos - to ash. This was followed by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta saying the fire was a statement to the world that ivory is worthless for them unless its on their elephants. It's a story that has grown from what is happening in the world around us.“

Sixteen years ago, buddies Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar formed Excel Entertainment. From Dil and Chahta Hai (2001) till their latest venture Dil Dhadakne Do that releases on June 5, these two suave guys have nurtured a goal to make noteworthy films. And though their common faith is good cinema, they have no desire to be seen as two peas in a pod. Both have independent minds with definite viewpoints.Yet, they are able to bring their individual strengths to the table. Excerpts from a conversation with them.

Zoya Akhtar made money for your company with Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD). Is that why you backed her Dil Dhadakne Do?
(Both chorus and laugh) You are so right! That is exactly why we have chosen to back DDD. As long as Zoya continues to make money for our company, we will continue to back her (they laugh some more and then on a more serious note, add) Zoya made a good film in ZNMD. And we are fully confident about Dil Dhadakne Do because we have seen it. So long as she makes good films, we are happy to produce.

Does Zoya get paid her fee? Or is she treated like ghar ki murgi?
(Both chorus) She always takes her fee.

What is the kind of cinema your hearts beat for (Aap ka dil kis tarah ke cinema ke liye dhadakta hai)?
Farhan: The attempt is to put out fresh stories that on some level have their own unique quality; cinema that stands out in content. The idea is to always back content that you can emotionally connect with.
Ritesh: We want to be able to say that this is the kind of story that we should tell. Irrespective of the genre, it should be a story that you can emotionally connect with and that you, as producers, should want to see being made into a film.

Have you guys always had the same beliefs as far as cinema goes?
Ritesh: Farhan and my sensibilities are similar as far as cinema is concerned. That is the reason why ours is a good partnership. We are making the kind of films we believe in. Any film we make comes out of a solid discussion. When scripts come to us, we read and discuss them. Ideas are constantly bounced off one another; we also have in-house discussions with our team of writer-directors and between our selves.

Ritesh, will you direct a film someday?
When we were promoting DDD in the cricket season, I was asked when I would make my acting debut. Now, I'm being asked whether I wish to direct. The answer to both the above suggestions is a 'No'. You see, currently most of the directors we are working with are new. And I need to be around them, nurture them. That itself is so exciting. I get to share a lot of experiences with them. We were earlier making one film at a time. Now, we are making multiple projects. Earlier, Farhan was the only one directing movies for us. Then, we got Zoya and Reema Kagti on board. Now, we have several young people making movies for us. Farhan is also acting. One of us constantly needs to be around. It is not as if you just fund films and then sit back. There is a lot of work that goes into putting a project together. I enjoy that process and I intend to concentrate on that aspect only.

How would you two define your areas? Is one of you creative and the other, the money matters guy?
Farhan: It is true that in every partnership or for that matter, in every relationship, there has to be a certain balance. There are certain strengths that each one brings to the table. If at all there are any weaknesses in one partner, then it is compensated by the strength of the other partner. I have always maintained the business organisation in our company is done by Ritesh. He is truly the guy who takes charge. When it comes to financing or organising things with the line producer, it is Ritesh all the way. My involvement is more on the creative side. I try to get the screenplay right, the dialogue and the music is what I focus on.

Was it tough to convince Anil Kapoor to play a father to PC and Ranveer?
(Both chorus) Yes, it was tough to convince Anil to play dad. It is a big step for him. While we were watching the film, all the memories of our earlier meetings came flooding back. But we are really glad that he came on board. He is the most perfect Mr Mehra we could have asked for.

You guys have seen Dil Dhadakne Do. In hindsight, do you at all feel having Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra as siblings turned out to be better than having Ranbir Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan, who were the first choice for the same roles?
Farhan: Every film has a destiny of its own. Turn around and look at the various posters in this room. With the exception of Don, where the starcast is the repeat of the first part, almost every film has gone through a casting process where a certain actor has been approached for a certain part and then someone else has come on board. This happens not only with us, it happens with every filmmaker. The people they wrote for didn't end up doing their film and someone else did. In retrospect, to think what could have been, is not really important. We are happy that we ended up with a really good cast. We have seen the film and the performances and it is a really perfect cast.

Ritesh, besides Farhan, Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar are said to be your close friends...
Yes, they are my friends. Besides Adi and Karan, there are others too with whom I interact a lot socially. We talk. We meet socially. Work wise, we speak to one another. We are happy to show our films to each other. But it isn't as if I talk to them every single day.

This is the first time you are associating with another producer. Tell us about your association with Junglee Pictures?
Ritesh: We agreed to associate with Junglee Pictures because in our conversations with them, we found out about their keenness to back good content. They came on board without asking us about the starcast of our films. They were keen on good storytelling, a good narrative. They let us function in a completely autonomous way.