In a 2025 interview, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha had revealed that Ajay Devgn had not spoken to him in the 18 years since their film, Cash (2007), had a poor run at the box office. Well, the good news is that creative differences, if any, between the two are a thing of the past. mid-day has exclusively learnt that the superstar and the director are in talks to reunite for a movie.

Since 2017, Sinha has gravitated towards social dramas, churning out Mulk (2017), Thappad (2020), and the recent Assi, among others. But he is changing gears for his next with Devgn.

A source revealed, “It will be the kind of larger-than-life entertainers that Anubhav used to make before — think Dus [2005] or Ra.One [2011]. Now, the director wants to try his hand again at an ambitious action movie.”

Who better than Devgn to headline an action film? From what we’ve heard, it was Devgn’s manager and producer Kumar Mangat Pathak who arranged the meeting between Sinha and the actor at the latter’s office.

The source elaborated, “After Cash, even though the duo did not speak, there wasn’t ever a direct disagreement. Anubhav had clarified that the disagreement was between the film’s producers and financiers. A few months ago, Kumar Mangat brought them together, and Anubhav pitched one of his three scripts to Ajay. The superstar, Mangat, as well as producer Bhushan Kumar instantly liked it, and the latter may come on board. Ajay asked Anubhav to make the scale bigger.” 

True to Sinha’s style, the action-heavy film will have strong elements of realism. If all goes well, it may roll by 2026-end.

October 2 is a date that holds significance for fans of Ajay Devgn’s Drishyam franchise. In keeping with the date’s relevance to the crime drama, the actor and the makers wanted to unveil Drishyam 3’s announcement teaser on October 2. However, it looks like they faced an unlikely hurdle from the original’s makers, writer and director Jeethu Joseph, and producer Antony Perumbavoor.

It turns out that a one-minute-25-second teaser was cut for the announcement, but the unveiling was postponed. A source says that while producer Kumar Mangat Pathak cited the background music not being ready as the reason for the teaser’s delay, there is more to the story.

“There is an understanding between the makers of the Malayalam franchise, Jeethu and Antony, and the Hindi remake’s producer Kumar Mangat. Apparently, one of the adaptation clauses states that the Hindi team cannot make any announcement about their film’s content without the permission of the original’s makers,” says the source.

Work on the Malayalam Drishyam 3 has begun with Mohanlal kicking off the shoot on September 22 (Georgekutty in action, Sept 23). In contrast, Devgn will begin the crime drama, which will be helmed by Abhishek Pathak, in December.

“After Mohanlal announced the shoot, the Hindi counterpart’s makers announced that their film would release on October 2, 2026. This sudden date announcement did not go down well with Antony and Jeethu. Following this episode, the clause came into effect,” adds the source.

Even before Devgn’s adaptation has gone on floors, there appears to be friction between the stakeholders of the two versions. What’s the cause? We’re told it’s rooted in the Hindi remake.

The source reveals, “The original plan was that all the three versions — Malayalam, Hindi, and Telugu starring Mohanlal, Ajay, and Venkatesh respectively — would be released on October 2, 2026, simultaneously. They were to be directed by Jeethu. But Kumar Mangat wanted his son Abhishek to helm the Hindi outing as Drishyam 2 [2022], directed by him, was a blockbuster. That led to a difference of opinion. Now, Antony and Jeethu are keen to release the Malayalam offering before the Hindi counterpart.” 

mid-day reached out to Kumar Mangat, Joseph, and Perumbavoor, who didn’t respond till press time.

Two years after his Gujarati horror film Vash (2023) was a sleeper hit at the box office, Krishnadev Yagnik is looking forward to its sequel Vash Vivash Level 2’s release. The director finds it gratifying that the first instalment, once dismissed as “too unconventional” for Gujarati cinema, not only became a box-office success but also inspired the Hindi adaptation, Shaitaan (2024). 

Yagnik recalls, “For years, people told me this idea won’t work. When I first pitched Vash, the response was that such a psychological horror film was not suited for the Gujarati audience, but I believed in it. The movie proved that the audience is always ready for fresh storytelling.”

That conviction led him to make the sequel, which stars Janki Bodiwala and Hiten Kumar, and delves deeper into the world of black magic. Even as he is counting the days to its August 27 release, the director finds it surreal that his 2023 offering was picked up for adaptation by Ajay Devgn.

“Producer Murlidhar Chattwani saw Vash and felt it had the potential for a Hindi version. Soon, Kumar ji [Mangat Pathak] and Ajay sir watched it and liked it. That’s how the remake was set in motion. For me, it was a huge achievement to see my film being remade on a big scale with such a prestigious production house,” he shares.

A howdunnit’s biggest trick is its mystery reveal. But the success of the Drishyam franchise defied that notion. Even as each of the Hindi adaptations, led by Ajay Devgn, came almost two years after the release of Mohanlal’s Drishyam (2013) and Drishyam 2 (2021), leaving enough time for the audience to know the plot, it found wide success at the box office. But things may not be the same with the third instalment.

mid-day has exclusively learnt that Mohanlal and director Jeethu Joseph are keen to make Drishyam 3 a bilingual offering to be released in Malayalam and Hindi. With the original’s makers targeting the Hindi audience, among other sections, it may pose a problem for Devgn’s adaptation.

From what we’ve heard, Joseph and Mohanlal are working towards taking Drishyam 3 on floors by May-end.

A source says, “Buoyed by the past two editions’ success, Jeethu, Mohanlal and producer Antony Perumbavoor are keen to make the third outing a pan-India offering. This can become an issue for Ajay’s movie, as his Drishyam 3’s script is still being worked upon. One of the reasons why Ajay’s Drishyam has been successful so far is because the Malayalam original didn’t tap into the Hindi-speaking audience. But if Mohanlal’s movie releases much earlier than Ajay’s, that too in Hindi, it can be disadvantageous to the latter since they both always share story and plot points.”

Meanwhile, the unit is setting the stage for the crime thriller’s shoot, which will see Mohanlal reprise his role of Georgekutty, who has successfully evaded the police despite committing a murder. Thodupuzha in Kerala, where the first movie was also shot, will be the filming location. A set was constructed in Kudayathoor for Drishyam 2, which may also be used.

Another source adds, “Ajay’s Drishyam 3 can roll only by October as he will wrap up Dhamaal 4 and Ranger before beginning the Abhishek Pathak-directed remake. Kumar Mangat Pathak, who has produced the Hindi adaptations so far, is in talks with the makers of the original to see whether both versions can have a simultaneous release.”

Joseph, Mohanlal and Perumbavoor remained unavailable for comment.

Mumbai: Production and distribution company Panorama Studios will remake Turkish film Dabbe in Hindi, as the production and distribution house known for movies such as Drishyam, Raid and Shaitaan prepares to create a full-fledged horror film franchise.

"The Turkish horror film Dabbe has a gripping narrative and cultural nuances that make its horror deeply unsettling," said Panorama Studios chairman Kumar Mangat Pathak. "We saw an opportunity to adapt its unique storytelling to connect with Indian audiences while preserving the essence of what made it so impactful."

The company will create a horror cinematic universe that will deal with a combination of horror and black magic themes, he said.

Panorama Studios will be the second production company to create a franchise specifically dedicated to the horror genre in India. Recently, Maddock Films - known for producing one of the biggest blockbusters in Hindi, Stree 2 - announced a slate of eight new films which will be expanding its well-established horror movie series such as Stree, Munjya and Bhediya in the next three years.

Apart from the Dabbe remake, Panorama Studios plans to build a franchise of the movie Shaitaan, which will include two additional films. It also plans to remake Shaitaan in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. Recently, the studio announced a horror comedy film, Jhalak.

"Audience for horror films in India is quite large. The appetite for these films is very high. Importantly, the theme pulls audiences to theatres. But very few horror films are being made in Hindi," said producer Rajesh Nair, known for films such as Kaminey and Adipurush.

"A horror film works well if it gets the three elements right: good writing, thrills and, of course, the horror in the film. A clear example is the film Munjya, which had no stars or known faces. It worked on the power of its storytelling," he said, adding: "These are actually grandmother tales, which never fail in their charm and pull. Problems arise when makers focus away from writing and try to make 'projects' out of these films by making them bigger in scale."

It is estimated that a horror film combined with different genres such as comedy, drama and thriller generally attracts at least 25% higher footfalls in theatres than a non-horror film. Also, a concept-based horror movie does not entail high investments like a spectacle or epic film.

"The horror genre is the most profitable across languages not only in India but also Hollywood. In fact, Blumhouse Productions in Hollywood is an entire production house dedicated to horror films," said producer and film business expert Girish Johar. "I think horror films will revive the sentiment in the industry which is in doldrums right now."

Last year, the theme of horror ruled not only the Hindi box office but also in the southern markets. In Hindi, films such as Stree 2, Shaitaan, Munjya and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 performed well, while Bramayugam and Aranmanai 4 recorded high collections in the South.

Interestingly, the re-released horror film Tumbbad (2018) collected Rs. 52.2 crore at the box office. The horror genre has caught on so well in the Indian film industry that makers are experimenting with it by combining it with different genres. Recently, a sea-horror action-adventure trilogy called Kingston was announced, which will be released in Telugu and Hindi in March this year.

Certain stories spark so much interest that you’ll do all it takes to translate them on the big screen. Shaitaan was one such movie for Ajay Devgn. The superstar, who hasn’t explored horror often on screen, was so impressed by the script that he decided to not only front it but also come on board as a producer. The dates, however, posed a problem. So what did the leading man do? He cut short his annual family holiday to London to shoot for the R Madhavan and Jyothika-starrer.

After filming Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha, Devgn was contemplating his next when producer Kumar Mangat and Abhishek Pathak narrated the story of Shaitaan to him last April. An adaptation of the Gujarati hit, Vash (2023), the supernatural thriller revolves around how a man protects his family when a sorcerer—played by Madhavan—casts a spell on his daughter.

A source from the creative team reveals, “Following the narration, Ajay immediately agreed to play the protagonist. The actor then approached Vikas Bahl to helm it. Though the director was initially hesitant about being able to do justice to the genre, Ajay was confident Vikas was the right man for the job.”

With the cast, script and director locked, next came the question of dates. Like every year, Devgn had blocked July for his month-long London vacation with actor-wife Kajol and his kids Nysa and Yug. The actor was slated to begin filming for Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again on his return.

The source adds, “It was getting difficult to find a window for Shaitaan. Ajay, being a producer-actor, understood the financials of shooting. So, he let go of his family holiday and filmed Shaitaan in a start-to-finish schedule, running from July to August, in and around London, including Bedford and Windsor. While Yug was with him throughout the UK schedule, the rest of his family joined him in the last week of August.”

Releasing tomorrow, Shaitaan marks the first of the superstar’s five releases in 2024. Producer Mangat says, “It was kind of Ajay to cut short his holiday and give us his dates immediately for the shoot. His cooperation helped us complete the film in a short span.”

After garnering massive success in India and China markets, the cult franchise, Drishyam is set to go global. Producers Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak announced the Korean remake of the thriller franchise at the Cannes Film Festival 2023. Now, they are set to achieve a new milestone. Panorama Studios has joined hands with Gulfstream Pictures and JOAT Films to make Drishyam in Hollywood – a first for an Indian film.

Gulfstream Pictures is co-founded by Mike Karz and Bill Bindley, who produced Blended, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, and Upgraded, featuring Camila Mendes, Marisa Tomei and Lena Olin. JOAT Films founder Jack Nguyen is a film industry veteran and a former Warner Bros executive supervising the Asia region’s production business. The banner specializes in cross-territorial local language remakes.

Panorama Studios has acquired the international remake rights to Drishyam 1 and 2 from the original producers, Aashirvad Cinemas. The franchise is being developed in the US and Korea, and a development deal for a Spanish-language version is being finalized. In addition, other countries are also being considered.

Kumar Mangat Pathak, Chairman and Managing Director, Panorama Studios, shared, “Drishyam’s clever narrative has a universal appeal and we are keen to celebrate this story with audiences worldwide. We are very happy with this collaboration to create this story for Hollywood. After Korea and Hollywood, our mission is to produce Drishyam in 10 countries in the next three to five years.” 

Producer Abhishek Pathak, who also directed Drishyam 2, said, “We have received immense love from our Indian audiences, who have made the Drishyam franchise a massive success. The strength of Drishyam lies in its story, and we want it to be enjoyed by audiences globally.”

While the Korean and English versions are in the making, the remake of the Malayalam film has had a successful run in various languages, including Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Sinhala and Chinese.

In a joint statement, Mike Karz and Bill Bindley of Gulfstream Pictures said, “We are very happy to collaborate on an English language adaptation of Drishyam. The film is a timeless thriller that has entranced audiences across the globe. We can’t wait to bring the movie to fans here in the US.”

Jack Nguyen, founder of JOAT Films, said, “Drishyam has a unique yet enduring story. It combines drama, emotional highs and lows in a riveting cat-and-mouse tale, and our adaptation will undoubtedly keep audiences on the edge of their seats. The story has clearly resonated with audiences worldwide, as evidenced by the numerous remakes it has spawned. We are excited to have the opportunity to present our take on this cleverly crafted thriller to audiences globally.”

After spending years in the capacity of an assistant director and creative producer in films, Ajay Devgn’s nephew Danish makes his directorial debut with the Priyank Sharma and Ishita Raj-starrer music video, Hanju (tears). In this interview, he discusses picking direction as his profession, and the invaluable lessons he has learnt from Ajay. Edited excerpts of the interview.

I was the first kid in my family, and my entire family was in this business. I was put on the sets when I was a year old. Since then, watching the chaos, the spot boys, DOPs, directors, actors, and the entire magic on set got to me. I fell in love with that energy. When I was in the third grade, I had a camera with which I would shoot random things. By the time I was in sixth grade, I [began editing]. [I worked on Ajay-starrer] U Me Aur Hum, and that is where the learning process began.

I was always mesmerized by the whole process that goes on behind the camera, and that’s what made me decide to take up direction. I’ve also been assisting [as a director] on sets for nine years, and [have worked with] directors like Pradeep Sarkar. I’ve learned a lot from them in the process. One learns from every little aspect on set. Also, Ajay ji taught me everything I know today. My grandfather [Veeru Devgan] was also technically sound. I kept grasping whatever I could.

 

I wasn’t planning to make my debut with a music video. I’ve been working on another film that’s releasing next year on which I am the creative producer. This track came my way. Kumar Mangat made me hear it, and the minute I heard the vocals and the piano arrangements, I was drawn to it. The song is filled with pain, and I was keen to shoot it aesthetically.

I wanted to give this song a contemporary and youthful touch. Priyank is a favorite among the women, and Ishita is [admired by] men too. People have always seen her break hearts in her past films, so I wanted to change things a bit. They are really good performers, and seasoned actors. Aesthetically, they fit the storyline. That’s why I wanted them to helm it. 

The process of working on this video showed me how to compile emotions and pull off [a narrative] within a defined time-frame. In the movies, we have two hours of time to play with. Here, I had to fit it all in four minutes. Things can either go right, or wrong, because, extracting emotions in four minutes is a complex task. A director needs at least six to seven minutes to establish a film’s emotional [arc]. Luckily, I was supported by good actors. 

When it comes to understanding the technicalities of direction, like CGI, sound, and camera work, he is superior to anyone I’ve assisted. Conversations with him are always educational. Every day, he surprises me with something new and better. If I’m confused, I talk to him, and he enlightens me with things that I couldn’t think about. 

He has been in the game for so long. I was nervous to show it to him. He is not easily impressed. [I recall, while working on] Bhola, he would never be impressed with suggestions. But, when I showed this to him, he was impressed. 

I am the creative producer at our production house, Ajay Devgn Ffilms. I am currently slating projects for us. I’m also looking to direct more songs, ads, web shows, and eventually, a film. I am still in the [process of] scripting it. It will be two to three years before [I work on it].

During the Cannes Film Festival, Kumar Mangat Pathak’s Panorama Studios and Anthology Studios, founded by former Warner Bros. local Korean production head Jay Choi, Parasite actor Song Kang-ho and director Kim Jee-woon made an exciting announcement. The two studios will join hands to produce the Drishyam franchise in Korean language. The announcement was made at India Pavilion in Cannes in the presence of the studio heads. This would be the first-ever collaboration between an Indian and a Korean studio and the first time a Hindi film is being officially remade in Korean.

Drishyam, an Indian franchise, proved successful in many Indian languages – Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi. The Hindi sequel, directed by Abhishek Pathak, which released last year, became a huge success. The Chinese remake, Sheep Without A Shepherd, too, won the audience’s appreciation. Ajay Devgn and Tabu headlined the franchise in Hindi.

Kumar Mangat Pathak says, “I’m excited that the Drishyam franchise is being made in Korean, a first for a Hindi film. This will not only increase its reach outside India, but will also put Hindi cinema on the global map. All these years, we have been inspired by Korean fare, and now they have found a muse in one of our films. What can be a bigger achievement for the Indian film fraternity.”

Jay Choi added, “We are thrilled to have an opportunity to remake a successful Hindi film with a touch of originality from Korean cinema. The remake has greater significance as the first major co-production between Korea and India. Through our partnership, we will be able to bring the best of both Indian and Korean cinema and make a meaningful remake that is as excellent as the original.”

Pathak is confident that the Drishyam franchise will find an audience in Korea and around the world. “This is the beginning of a valuable cultural exchange between both countries and film industries,” he says.

US-based Jack Nguyen will serve as the executive producer of the project. He had collaborated with Pathak on Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge and with Jay Choi and his team to produce a slate of Korean films. 

Jack Nguyen says, “I have a history with and utmost respect for these highly-regarded producers, so it was a natural fit for me to bring them together to collaborate on a great story in Drishyam. I’m excited to help them make history with this first-of-its-kind Indian-Korean co-production.”

The audience welcomed Vijay Salgaonkar with open arms once again at the theatres in Drishyam 2. At a time when many were questioning the relevance of remakes as they were failing to work at the box office, Drishyam 2 saw impressive footfall and went on to become a massive hit. The film pitted Ajay Devgn against Tabu and Akshaye Khanna. In a conversation with BT, producer Kumar Mangat Pathak and his son, director of the film Abhishek Pathak talk about the movie’s success, how they handle remakes and Drishyam 3. Excerpts:

Abhishek Pathak (AP): Drishyam is a brand we have always been happy about. The script and cast of Drishyam 2 were fantastic. From the word go, we were very confident that it would do extremely well. The response I got from the focus groups (during trial screenings) was fabulous, and so we knew where we were heading.

Kumar Mangat Pathak (KMP): Haan, mujhe pura confidence tha. I am happy that not just nationally, the film has worked well in international markets, too. In the coming days, we will release the movie in some other countries. Abhishek and the team put in a lot of effort. Toh yeh sab dekhke bharosa tha ki yeh film successful hogi hi.

AP: Drishyam is a cult film and a cult brand. Vijay Salgaonkar has a huge fan following. The way Ajay Devgn has played the part, the audience felt that they are part of his family. Also, I think the trailer clicked big time with the audience. Some people say that the thriller genre is not theatre-friendly, but we proved them wrong. I visited a theatre on the Friday and Saturday after its release to see the reaction and I could see people of all age groups and genders enjoying it thoroughly.

KMP: Bahut dino baad audiences ko ek aisi film mili jo woh poore family ke saath dekh sakte hain. There has been a lot of repeat audience, too. I believe that after the success of Drishyam, the audience was eagerly waiting for Drishyam 2 and as soon as it released, the love just poured in.

AP: I was a bit nervous, but the Malayalam version was available online without Hindi subtitles and was not dubbed in Hindi. I believe that people don’t really enjoy watching films with subtitles. Also, after seeing Drishyam, the Hindi audience wanted to see the journey of Vijay Salgaonkar and his family. That apart, I introduced a few changes to the original script. The idea behind remaking a film is not to redo it the way it has already been made. The idea is you tell the same story in a different way to a different audience. If you don’t have that perspective, then there is no point in remaking a film. Instead of the easy cut-copy-paste job, you can just buy dubbing rights, which are comparatively cheaper and dub it in your preferred language. The idea of a remake is that you love a story, and you want to tell the story in your own way. Today, a copy-paste job won’t work as there is easy access to films of all languages on the internet.

KMP: Yes, the key is to give your own twist. I believe when a film is made in a certain language, the filmmaker should make it as per the sensibility of that audience.

AP: We have just started discussing how to collaborate in terms of writing. Once that is sorted, we will think about when to start the shoot and how to go about it. The idea is that we want to collaborate. We are going to write, shoot and eventually release the film together. This way, Drishyam 3 will become a very big franchise coming into theatres together in Malayalam and Hindi.

In 2015, Abhishek Pathak co-produced Drishyam, directed by Nishikant Kamat, which went on to be a successful film. Back then, little did he know that seven years down the line he would be helming the sequel to the Ajay Devgn, Tabu starrer. As he talks about taking up the challenge of making his own version of Drishyam 2 (which is the remake of a Malayalam film of the same name), Abhishek opens up about taking the baton ahead from Nishikant Kamat and feeling intimidated while directing senior actors like Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Akshaye Khanna. Read on...

When we bought the rights of Drishyam 2, I never intended to direct it. But in Nishi sir’s (director of Drishyam, Nishikant Kamat, who passed away in 2020) absence, we had to find someone to helm this project.

A few months before we went on the floors, my dad (producer Kumar Mangat Pathak) asked me, ‘Why don’t you think about it?’ But then, I didn’t want to direct a remake, especially when someone has set a benchmark. It is when a lot of people around me said that I should think about it, that I took it up as a challenge to make my own version of it. I worked with writer Aamil Keeyan Khan and it took me a good 7-8 months to rewrite the entire screenplay.

Making a remake, which has won so much love, is a big responsibility and I just wanted to do it correctly. First, Jeethu Joseph (director of Malayalam, Drishyam) set a benchmark, then Nishi sir set a benchmark, so I had to follow a certain route. I had to be loyal to the world that was already created, but at the same time, I had the liberty to be creative as the story unfolds seven years later. I thought I would be the right person as I have lived that film with Nishi sir while he was directing it. I was there during the shoot of the film. Finally, I did it and I am very happy and satisfied with what I have done.

I think people are already finding it a little different. Not all viewers prefer watching films with subtitles. Like, even I don’t watch a film that way. You keep reading the subs rather than watching the visuals. It is not a good experience, especially while watching thrillers. That’s something which will help this film and push it to reach its major audience. When we made the earlier part of the story, people loved it. This is a continuation of that tale, of what happens to Vijay Salgaonkar... yeh sabko jaana hai. Trailer mein ek line hai... Mera naam Vijay Salgaonkar hai, aur yeh mera confession hai, and after seeing that scene in the trailer, I have had people asking me, ‘Yaar, yeh confess karta hai ya nahi?’. So, I am assuming that not all people have seen the Malayalam version. That apart, yes, we have got a few characters back in the film (from part one), like sub-inspector Gaitonde (played by Kamlesh Sawant). This character isn’t there in the Malayalam version of Drishyam 2. We thought we should get him back as he was an interesting character in the earlier part. Akshaye (Khanna) sir’s character as a cop is there in the Malayalam film, but we have done it differently. In the first film, it was Ajay Devgn versus Tabu, this time around I wanted it to go a notch higher, so I rewrote the entire character of the cop.

Tabu ma’am’s character had resigned. I had to get a new cop in the picture, who drives the entire game for the Drishyam finale. But as you said, people loved watching Tabu ma’am on screen, and so, we made sure to add a few scenes and make her part of the setting. Now again, that is another change we introduced to the screenplay, which is different from the Malayalam version. Here we have got (Tabu) in a meatier role where she is trying to find the whole truth behind this case. On the other hand, Akshaye sir is going to be a surprise in this film, because there is a world already set where a new character is stepping in. When we were at the scripting stage, I could see him playing this role. I am glad that he came on board as the reaction he is getting for his part in the trailer is really good.

It is exciting to work with actors like Ajay sir, Akshaye sir, Tabu ma’am and even Kamlesh Sawant (who plays Gaitonde). And yes, it was definitely intimidating working with them, though in the past I have worked with Ajay sir in the capacity of a producer. This time, a day before the shoot I could not sleep the entire night wondering how do I even tell this brilliant talent what is to be done. You have always seen Ajay sir do wonders on screen, and suddenly, you have to go and tell him what you want him to do in a particular scene. That made me nervous. As we moved on, everyone got comfortable with the idea of me heading this film and then it became easy for me, too.

I did production because my dad was producing movies and I became a part of it. Direction is something that I wanted to do. I liked the whole process of production, but I always wanted to be a director. Direction is my passion and production is a business, which I am running at the same time. A producer has certain control, whereas a director has complete control of the creative side of a film and that is what I am looking for.

I’ve told Shivaleeka to let this film release and then we will sit down and plan everything. It is a big step in my life that I will be taking, so I don’t want to be bogged down by work stress. Shivaleeka and I have known each other since Khuda Haafiz (2020). We collaborated on that film, and it was during the promotions that we started chatting a lot. Then during the lockdown, we bonded a little more. We loved and enjoyed each other’s company and after a year, we became certain about entering this new chapter of our life.

On September 24, actress Shivaleeka Oberoi posted a video on social media that had her making her relationship with producer-director Abhishek Pathak Insta official. However, the couple got engaged on July 24, Shivaleeka’s birthday. Abhishek popped the question with a ring during their trip to Cappadocia, Turkey. The couple was accompanied by their friends for the holiday, which proved to be a big step in their relationship.

Talking about the special day, Shivaleeka says, “Everyone was surprised. Of course, some people knew about our relationship, but largely, people knew that we were affiliated through our work. I had auditioned for Khuda Haafiz, and I still remember I met Kumar ji (Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek’s father) before I met Abhishek. We later realised that we had common friends. With time, things organically fell into place. It hasn’t been very long since we started seeing each other, but when something feels right, it’s right. Abhishek was already shooting for Drishyam 2. We found ways to spend time together despite so many restrictions over the last two years. Our friends could see that we were good for each other. On my birthday, he planned this beautiful surprise for me, without telling any of our friends. The location, the hot-air balloon…it was out of a fairytale. Since that day, our families have been so happy. They hadn’t met till then, but now we are one big happy bunch.”

She further adds, “Abhishek is a lot like me, which I feel is a huge plus. We’re both in an industry where our lives are in the spotlight, but we prefer to keep our personal lives away from everything else.”

Shivaleeka, who made her debut in 2019 with Yeh Saali Aashiqui, is currently working on a couple of projects. Speaking about balancing work and personal life, she says, “So many actresses are married today, and their careers are flourishing. Work and relationships are a part of life and can absolutely sail together. Abhishek and I have also broached this subject. We’re both clear that our work life will not change because we’re planning to get married soon. I believe one must take the plunge when they feel it’s the right time. There’s no point in dragging a decision. Marriage will mean that we have a solid partner in each other.”

The couple hasn’t zeroed in on a date for the wedding yet, but the families have already started drawing up a list of guests and ceremonies that they wish to have for them. “Abhishek and I were contemplating whether we should even announce our relationship,” she says, adding, “We took two months to eventually do that. Right now, we both have engagements on the work front, but the marriage will happen soon. Once we have some breathing space from work, we’ll start making plans. Everyone is excited. Right now, we’ve left it to our parents to figure out what works best.”

Abhishek’s next directorial venture Drishyam 2 starring Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Akshaye Khanna and Ishita Dutta will release in the theatres screen soon.

Taut thrillers usually have little room for songs. In his bid to lend mass appeal to 'Drishyam 2', however, Ajay Devgn has decided to incorporate four songs in the narrative. For the job, he has roped in south composer Devi Sri Prasad, who is enjoying his moment in the sun, courtesy 'Oo Antava' from 'Pushpa: The Rise' (2021). A source reveals that 'Drishyam 2' director Abhishek Pathak and Devgn zeroed in on him after seeing the raging success of Pushpa’s music.

“While the music for the Malayalam 'Drishyam' franchise was given by Anil Johnson, Devi Sri will handle the songs and background score for the Hindi remake. He is one of the highest-paid composers in Tollywood, and has delivered several hits in his 20-year career,” says the source.

Following the blueprint of Mohanlal’s 'Drishyam 2' (2021), the upcoming Hindi adaptation will see Devgn’s character as a now-prosperous businessman who will go to great lengths to protect his family as the secret of his past rears its head. Of the four songs that will comprise the album, two tracks have already been shot.

“The remaining two songs will be shot in Goa in the first week of October. One will be a romantic track, and the other, a situational catchy dance number that will feature Ajay, Tabu, Akshaye Khanna and the rest of the cast. Devi Sri is working on these songs now,” adds the source.

Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak confirms the news, stating, “DSP is one of the most talented music directors in India today. Abhishek showed the rough version of Drishyam 2, and he was excited to come on board immediately.”

As a director, who enjoys a peaceful, slow process of writing films, Faruk Kabir barely had the time to create a new world for Khuda Haafiz, Khuda Haafiz Chapter 2 - Agni Pariksha. In a conversation, the filmmaker takes us through the journey of the emotional-action drama starring Vidyut Jammwal and Shivaleeka Oberoi as a couple searching for their missing daughter. Excerpts from our chat:

I wrote this film over a span of 10 months, and even during that process, I had offers from other very senior producers to direct content for them. However, for me, this movie was extremely important. Writing is not a simple job, and I cannot hire someone else to do it for me.

I respect and nurture the writing process. It is a scary process; it’s like walking on eggshells, you can go overboard and lose track of things. You have to cut out the noise. With every passing piece, you have to strive to get better. With a sequel, a story has to move forward. It can’t be a mere extension of the previous film.

I could see the germ of part two when I was working on Khuda Haafiz, but I’m not one of those vain people to start imagining a sequel before the first film has even reached its audience. In my mind, I always wanted to know what happens when they return to India, how their love story shapes up with all the baggage that they’re carrying — the fact that she was pushed into the flesh trade and that they had to endure extreme situations to get back together and so on. Two years ago, I wanted to know how society reacts to them, whether they find acceptance, their pressures and their own sense of intimacy towards each other. I created the rest of it when Kumar Mangat ji told me that we were making part two.

For starters, it’s a deeper and more intense story than part one, which is mildly evident in the trailer of the film. There are more layers to the character that Vidyut and Shivaleeka are playing. They have also done a lot to get back into the spaces of their characters. This is a film they had to come prepared for on the set. They had to understand the text and the subtext, why they’re saying certain things and how they’re saying it. The idea has always been to create a plausible reality. The material is relatable and something that is meant for Indians to watch. Women should see it for sure. The relationship between the husband and the wife and even adoption and mental health are strong themes in the film. I would call this an emotional, family, action-drama where the trigger for the action is emotions.

Today, the industry is still trying to understand the manner in which the audience has been reacting to films. I agree that the audience is different, and it is a challenging thought to work on. Yes, it has crossed my mind several times — would a larger audience, or the same audience that saw part one in their homes, go to the theatres for the second part. I believe in the energy of this film, in Vidyut and the power of the sheer word-of-mouth that can create magic. Once some important people sample the content, and it resonates with them, word will catch on. I am banking on Vidyut, the emotions that trigger the action and the good sense of the audience that loves performances and a great story presented at the right scale. From what I have observed, good content has to be backed by the correct scale. Theatres are up and running after two years, and the cinematic experience has to be far more pronounced than the pre-pandemic standards. Today, there is no pundit who can predict whether something will work 100 per cent, but Vidyut and I are confident that anyone who decides to watch the film will come back liking it. We have this faith; we’re not overconfident.

Vidyut shows a lot of love and trust, and I value it. When an actor and a director become friends, some people want that partnership, that bond to break. We know of it and we exchange notes all the time. There is no reason why we became friends. My father passed away a few days before we went to shoot in Uzbekistan, and he took such good care of me during that time. We have a very natural and organic friendship, which has no professional bindings. I have to hand it to Vidyut for also leading from the front when it came to avoiding distractions while shooting for the film. He was disciplined, focussed and away from all the chatter... not even phone calls during those 12 hours on the set!

If it has to happen, it definitely won’t happen as soon as this one. It will take some time. I now intend to focus on some other stories that I have been working on. There’s one that Suriya sir (South actor) has liked. There’s another one that is a contemporary resonance that I intend to direct, and of course, I would love to continue working with Vidyut.

Ajay Devgn’s character in Drishyam (2015), Vijay Salgoankar, made the audience believe that his family actually went on a holiday, which was a well-etched plan to save them from a murder conviction. Now, the actor is all set to reprise one of his most intriguing onscreen characters for the sequel — Drishyam 2.

The story unveils a journey that will leave the audience wondering how Vijay will find his way out this time around. The sequel aims to go a step further than the original and will unravel a certain mood and theme, which will be captivating for a global audience.

Drishyam 2, directed by commenced shooting in Mumbai and will be extensively shot in Goa in the coming months. The film will feature the star cast of the first film including Tabu, Shriya Saran and Ishita Dutta, among others. The story unfolds seven years after the events in the first film and tests Vijay’s resolve to protect his family under any circumstances.

Talking about both the films, Ajay says, “Drishyam was loved by audiences. I am elated to present yet another Drishyam 2. Vijay is a multidimensional character and he creates an engaging narrative onscreen. Abhishek Pathak has a fresh vision for this film. I’m keenly looking forward to part two and I’m sure that audiences will enjoy the mystery and characters as much as they did in the earlier film. ”

Taking over the director’s mantle for the sequel, Abhishek, who won the National Award for Best Short Fiction Film, Boond, in 2009, says, “Making an official remake of a successful franchise film is an honour and a challenge. An opportunity to work along with Ajay Devgn, who is such a powerhouse of talent is a morale booster for any creative person; his unique influence is undoubtedly the most enriching experience for me personally. It’s exciting to retell a story from your own perspective and vision and make it extraordinary. The setting and the mood of the film uplifts the very essence of the crux, making it gripping from the very beginning.’’

Kumar Mangat Pathak, Chairman and Managing Director, Panorama Studios, says, “We had belief in the story and a vision for Drishyam, and had produced the first film with great passion in record time. Being able to remake Drishyam 2 with Ajay Devgn, with Abhishek helming the film gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment.”

Viacom 18 presents Gulshan Kumar, T-Series and Panorama Studios presents, Drishyam 2 produced by Bhushan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, Krishan Kumar and co-produced by Sanjeev Joshi, Aditya Choksi and Shiv Chanana.