Showing posts with label Nag Ashwin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nag Ashwin. Show all posts
Prabhas to wrap Fauzi by December before resuming Kalki 2 shoot
4:29 PM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 3, 2026)
On Prabhas’s birthday last month, the makers announced that Fauzi would arrive in cinemas on March 19, 2027, instead of its previously announced December 2026 release. With director Hanu Raghavapudi’s feature getting pushed by three months, the actor will now have to juggle it with Kalki 2, which filmmaker Nag Ashwin intends to wrap by March-end.
While Prabhas recently resumed the shoot of Kalki 2, also starring Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan, his dates for the sci-fi action film are now being worked around those of Fauzi.
A source shared, “Fauzi has to be completed on priority. There is very little room to push the shoot around, considering the release date.”
With the actor hopefully wrapping the period drama by December, he can then give his undivided attention to Kalki 2.
The source added, “Nag Ashwin wants to wrap his film by March 31, as post-production on such a VFX-heavy film will also take time. It is a massive project, and getting everyone’s dates together is a task in itself.”
Nag Ashwin on winning National Award: "Kalki 2898 AD deserved recognition for it's production design"
4:48 PM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 24, 2026)
After Kalki 2898 AD (2024) won two National Awards, including Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Production Design, director Nag Ashwin calls the wins “special”. The recognition marks his second National Award after he was previously honoured for Mahanati. Speaking about the honour, Ashwin says awards were not on his mind while making the film, but he always believed its production design deserved praise.
“Usually during making films, I don’t think of what awards it will get but for Kalki, I always felt that it should get in production design. We were doing some extremely impossible things and I’m very happy that it got that recognition,” says the filmmaker.
Reflecting on the win, Ashwin says the team shared the joy despite being in different places. “We were all in different places but overall I think we all felt an immense gratitude and joy for the recognition,” he says.
The film featured an ensemble cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone and Kamal Haasan, among others. Ashwin credits the film’s “great actors” for pushing him to be sharper and ensuring that the story and scenes were “up to the mark”.
“Rather than overpower the story, I feel it helped me be sharper on my feet and make sure that the story or the scenes really were up to the mark, to justify the great actors who were playing these roles,” he says.
Recalling the film’s most challenging sequences, Ashwin points to the climax featuring Ashwatthama (Amitabh) battling Bhairava (Prabhas) in Bujji, the three-wheeled AI car, as well as the Mahabharata portions. “It was really a complicated sequence because the action had proper story beats and had to keep improving. And also the Mahabharata sequences,” shares the 40-year-old.
Ashwin also feels the response to films across scales is encouraging. “It’s very exciting as stories now, whether they are small and intimate or larger than life, have somehow seemed to have found their own stable audience and I’m really hoping that this trend continues,” he says.
He adds that Kalki’s success has also inspired filmmakers to explore the genre, although that means he will have to reassess some of the ideas he originally developed years ago. “Kalki has inspired many more to follow this genre... what was original seven years ago while writing it, I’ll have to assess and reimagine sometimes,” he says.
With the film’s box-office success followed by National Award recognition, Ashwin says the focus for its sequel, Kalki 2898 AD – Part 2, will remain on the story rather than expectations. “After the box office success and now the award recognition, what we will strive to do is to still be honest to the story. And make a film that can stand the test of time,” he says.
For Ashwin, that honesty begins with the reason a filmmaker chooses to tell a story in the first place. “I feel the stories that directors want to tell... from inside... not because they need to make their next film or are trying to write something according to the trend. The want to make something should be blind and relentless. I feel only those work, at any point of time,” he concludes.
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Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; September 24, 2026)
For Nag Ashwin, the National Award recognition for Kalki 2898 AD is more than just an accolade — it is a validation of the immense effort that went into creating the ambitious sci-fi spectacle. The filmmaker says the honour feels like a “pat on the back”, particularly because of the scale of the film and the number of people involved in bringing his vision to life.
“I felt very grateful because it has taken a long time and a lot of people to achieve this, and the recognition felt like a pat on the back,” he says. Ashwin admits that awards are rarely on his mind while making a film.
“Normally, I don't think of awards while making a film, but with Kalki, I felt that the VFX and production design really were doing some impossible things, and I hoped it would be recognized,” he says, adding, “Now, winning the National Award for Production Design is very satisfying. For me as a filmmaker, I think it really gives you a little boost of energy to keep going.”
With anticipation around the second instalment at an all-time high, the director reveals that the team is preparing to move into the regular shooting schedule soon. “We should be getting into regular shoot from next month and hopefully finish the shoot of the film by the middle of next year,” he says.
Does the massive anticipation surrounding Kalki 2 add pressure?
“No, I don't think it adds any pressure, but I think it's very encouraging and energizing to know the number of people that are waiting eagerly for Part 2,” he concludes.
Alia Bhatt busy with Chamunda; Nag Ashwin resumes talks with Sai Pallavi?
10:32 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 3, 2025)
Last November, mid-day had reported that Alia Bhatt was in talks to headline filmmaker Nag Ashwin’s yet-untitled woman-led film (Alia Bhatt to front Nag Ashwin’s next, Nov 10, 2024). But 11 months is a long time for things to change. Ashwin, whose ‘Kalki 2’ is now undergoing a round of casting following Deepika Padukone’s exit, is reportedly considering focusing on his woman-centric film in the interim.
However, that clashes with Bhatt, who is said to have given bulk dates to Maddock Films’ ‘Chamunda’ from March 2026. In the latest development, industry chatter suggests that the filmmaker has resumed talks with Sai Pallavi, who has long been his choice to lead the action drama.
A source close to the production revealed, “Nag didn’t let go of the idea of the woman-led film. It was simmering on the backburner through most of 2025. With the developments in Kalki 2, bringing the other project forward is a possibility.”
Pallavi, however, can allot her dates only after the two-part Ramayana is complete.
The source adds, “She is expected to wrap up the second instalment of ‘Ramayana’ by mid-2026. If the dates align, she could step into Nag’s film before he moves to ‘Kalki 2’.”
Insiders, however, insist that schedules and casting could shift, given the dynamic nature of the projects in question.
Manoj Bajpayee reveals what's stopping him from stepping into South Indian cinema
9:24 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; September 17, 2025)
Even before Manoj Bajpayee’s Jugnuma opened to rave reviews, it found support from filmmakers across the country. While Anurag Kashyap and Guneet Monga Kapoor presented Raam Reddy’s directorial venture, several South filmmakers, including Vetrimaaran, Lijo Jose Pellissery, and Nag Ashwin, unveiled the film’s trailer on social media. When we caught up with Bajpayee before the movie’s release, he expressed gratitude for his peers’ support.
“All of them are friends. Whenever I’m in Chennai, I meet Vetri. I admire his films. There is also [Thiagarajan] Kumararaja from Chennai, and so many makers from Karnataka and Kerala. We connect because our choices are the same,” he said, giving a special shoutout to Kashyap for bringing the filmmakers together to rally behind Jugnuma.
In the last few years, the lines between Hindi and regional cinema have blurred with many Bollywood actors teaming up with South filmmakers. Can we expect a collaboration between Bajpayee and these filmmakers, considering the actor’s cinematic sensibilities match with them?
“Their only complaint is that I don’t know the language. Otherwise, we are all mutual admirers. In fact, I would love to associate myself with Vetri,” said the actor.
North vs South mindset isn't the right step forward-Ayushmann Khurrana
8:06 AM
Roopa Radhakrishnan (BOMBAY TIMES; July 2, 2025)
Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana was recently in Ooty, shooting for Thama (the forthcoming film in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe), and spoke to us about his experience filming for the first time in Tamil Nadu, why there shouldn’t be a north vs. south mindset in the film industry, on Hindi cinema’s evolution in the post-pandemic era and more…
Have the lines between the north and the south film industries blurred of late?
The north vs. south mindset isn’t the right step forward for the Indian film industry. We’re moving towards a more unified Indian film industry. It’s an exciting time to be an actor, as collaboration is becoming the cornerstone for change. We saw what Atlee did with Shah Rukh Khan in Jawan and what Nag Ashwin did by bringing together Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan sir in one frame! These projects are bringing together the best of both worlds!
Your films like Vicky Donor Article 15, Andhaadhun and Badhaai Ho have been remade in Tamil. Have you seen any of these? What did you think about them?
I have seen some of the remakes, but I can definitely say that these films being remade in the South is definitely a moment of incredible appreciation for me as an artiste. There is no bigger validation than seeing my films crossing over and entertaining people across my country.
Any south film that you’d love to remake?
I’m not really a believer of remaking films. I feel once a film is made, we should let that be. It’s my personal choice to not look for remakes and keep an eye on new and unique concepts that people have never seen me in before. I’m sure there are a lot of films that could be remade in Hindi, but I would love to do original content, like how I’ve been doing so far.
You’re working with Rashmika Mandanna, who is from the south. Do you see any difference between working with an artiste from the south vis-à-vis someone from Bollywood?
Working with Rashmika has been a delight. She brings a fresh energy to the set, which is needed when you have hectic shoot days. She ensures she knows all the nuances of her scene before she steps on set. Her work ethic is incredible. In terms of the acting process, every actor has a different process and that is not restricted to the industry they come from — but what remains constant is the commitment to the craft.
These days, we routinely hear that Hindi cinema is no longer the force it used to be. Do you think there’s truth in this opinion?
Hindi cinema delivered all-time blockbusters with Pathaan, Jawan, and Animal in a span of 12 months. We also had Stree 2 and Chhaava recently. I guess that answers the question! Every industry goes through its churn, and Hindi cinema, like any industry, is going through an evolution where it will shape a new identity in a post-pandemic world.
What’s your take on the notion that the films that were successful before COVID, especially the ones revolving around middleclass lives, aren’t theatre-friendly anymore?
The pandemic has precipitated a change in content viewing patterns. No one wants to watch something that’s been seen before or, for lack of a better word, vanilla. Anything mediocre won’t work anymore. To me, that’s exciting because it gets us out of our comfort zone. Look at Laapataa Ladies, 12th Fail, The Kerala Story, Munjya or Sita Ramam — these were rooted stories, not hugely budgeted extravaganzas, and they still found their audience. So, if the story hits home, people will show up.
You have an identity as a representative of the middle-class man. Has this image narrowed the stories that come to you?
I’ve found my niche is championing real men who are endearing, relatable, and flawed, but also heroic. It has not narrowed my choices. It’s my personal ambition to be very original. A good film will bring in audiences, and I try to look for the best scripts that our industry is making. In Thama, the audience will see me in a different avatar yet find the quirk that they see in my movies, which has become my calling card!
On his experience shooting in Ooty...
Ooty provided the perfect backdrop for Thama. Every time you turn your head, you see greenery and mountains covered with clouds. This is also the first film I have shot in Tamil Nadu. I have always been a fan of the hospitality and culture of the state. We had a tight schedule, so I didn’t get time to visit popular spots in Ooty. However, I had good local cuisine. I can’t wait to return and visit the place properly.
I would like Arshad Warsi to undo the hurt which he may have caused artistes of Telugu industry-Poonam Dhillon
8:29 AM
CINTAA president Poonam Dhillon feels that Arshad Warsi didn’t mean to insult Prabhas with his ‘joker’ remark, adding that she will write to him and look forward to his side of the story
Yashika Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 25, 2024)
Confirming that she received a letter from Telugu actor Vishnu Manchu that highlighted the hurt inflicted by actor Arshad Warsi’s recent comments about Kalki 2898 AD, CINTAA (Cine and TV Artistes Association) president Poonam Dhillon says she will write to the latter for a response.
“It is definitely something that has created a bit of unpleasantness, especially in the Telugu industry. We are also writing to Arshad Warsi and taking his feedback on that,” Dhillon tells us.
Emphasizing on the need for film industries to stay united, Dhillon insists that Warsi didn’t target Prabhas in his comments. “While I do believe that he may not have said it against Prabhas; it may be against the character in the film, I would still like him to clarify and if need be, undo the hurt which he may have caused artistes of the Telugu industry because we are all one industry,” says the veteran actor, adding, “Prabhas is one of the most decent, nice, respected people of the industry and I am sure it was not meant to hurt him as a person.”
Determined to settle this issue, Dhillon adds that all industries constitute one larger body of entertainment and that the episode should not be allowed to create a rift. “We will let Arshad clarify his stand because I cannot speak for him. I would like to believe that as an actor, he will not make such comments about someone who is so well-respected and loved,” says Dhillon, who is also expected to respond to Manchu’s letter.
The old: What Arshad Warsi said
“Prabhas, I am really sad, why was he… he was like a joker. Why? I want to see a Mad Max. I want to see Mel Gibson over there. Tumne usko kya bana diya yaar. Kyon karte ho aisa mujhe nahin samajh mein aata,” the actor told podcaster Samdish Bhatia in an interview recently.
THE NEW: COMMENTS OR NO?
Telugu actor Vishnu Manchu, President of the Telugu film body Movie Artiste Association, wrote a letter to Poonam Dhillon on Friday, excerpts from which read: “Mr Warsi’s comment has hurt the sentiments of many in the Telugu film community and among fans. It unfortunately has created unnecessary negativity among cinema lovers. We request that Mr Arshad Warsi be advised to refrain from making such remarks about fellow actors in the future. It is essential that we maintain the dignity and respect that each of our colleagues deserve.”
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On Saturday, reacting to Warsi’s comments, Kalki 2898AD director Nag Ashwin replied to a fan on X, urging them not to engage in “north-south or bolly vs tolly”. “Let’s not go backwards... eyes on the bigger picture.. United Indian Film Industry.. Arshad saab should have chosen his words better.. but it’s ok..sending buji toys 4 his kids..il work hard so tweets fdfs that prabhas was the best ever in k2 (sic),” he wrote on X.
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After Prabhas and Kalki fans stormed the comments of his posts on Instagram to troll and abuse the actor, Warsi disabled the comments on an Independence Day picture that he posted with his family.
Kalki 2898 AD director Nag Ashwin says sequel should ‘take less time’
8:30 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 6, 2024)
The cliffhanger ending of Kalki 2898 AD certainly left the audience intrigued, and director Nag Ashwin shares that work is already underway on the film’s sequel to complete the story. “Though it was a little bit, we shot some of it in the earlier schedules of the first one, about 20 days,” he says.
The film, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Prabhas and Kamal Haasan, was shot for a couple of years owing to the heavy VFX and released in June. “The second part should hopefully take less time to complete and release than the first one,” he adds.
The 38-year-old drew inspiration from the Mahabharata and feels this is the right time to introduce Indian audiences to such stories: “There is a huge audience in our country — not just in cities but also in smaller towns — that embraces Marvel and Star Wars [films]. I felt we should explore our homegrown superheroes; it is very Indian.”
If Kalki 2898 AD hadn't work, it would have closed doors for many years-Nag Ashwin
8:48 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 9, 2024)
Nag Ashwin is relieved with the response to the biggest film of his career, Kalki 2898 AD. It has raked in more than Rs. 500 crore in the first week at the box office.
Reacting to the response, he says, “A movie like this is beyond us. The ambition was bigger in the sense, there was a larger thing at stake than just us. Many makers were waiting for the result of this sci-fi film. If it didn’t work, it would have closed doors for more years.”
The 38-year-old was able to bring together a dream cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, Kamal Hassan and Deepika Padukone for his directorial. Recalling how the production begun during the pandemic and it was “very difficult to get the finances” in place for the film, he shares, “Luckily, we did have the biggest star cast of our country, so we had a little bit of a cushion there. Plus the previous films we (the producers) have done together, worked, so there was goodwill on that front.”
One common feedback from the moviegoers has been that they found the first half of the sci-fi mythological drama, which heavily draws from Mahabharata, slow.
Ashwin is aware, “It has been a universal response that people found the first half slow, and it’s very valid. In a three-hour film if viewers liked two hours and 54 minutes, I will take that.”
As there are rumours that Mahesh Babu plays Lord Krishna in the film, ask him who does and he says, “This is how Krishna will be in the film. One of the first things I was very sure was we should have him in the silhouette, there should not be any form. Once you do that, you humanize him in a way. We didn’t want to humanize him.”
Deepika Padukone is the story, Kalki 2898 AD’s most important character-Nag Ashwin
8:25 AM
Stating that Kalki 2898 AD’s story is centred on Padukone’s character, director Nag Ashwin talks about how he was careful about shooting the climax with pregnant actor
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 8, 2024)
Taking a film, which demanded the last four years of your life, to the audiences can be satisfying as well as nerve-wracking. For Nag Ashwin, it’s exhilarating. His sci-fi actioner, Kalki 2898 AD, made over Rs 400 crore in the domestic market within a week of its release.
“It’s satisfying to see people enjoy and write congratulatory messages that usually start with ‘Thank you for making this film,’” he grins.
Creating a futuristic world must have been a challenge, coupled with the pressure of doing justice to the all-star cast. But Ashwin says his actors — Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas and Deepika Padukone — made his job easier. They brought not only their talent to the project, but also their professionalism and acuity, leaving no room for insecurity or fears about limited screen time.
“We call them legends and superstars because they have judgment about a film, they are secure about their purpose in the story, and how their role would expand or be limited in this part. Discussions about who has more screen time probably come [into play] when the actors are upcoming, younger or less secure.”
Among Kalki 2898 AD’s most-talked about aspects is Padukone’s character SUM-80 aka Sumathi, the mother of Kalki. The promos gave the impression that she had a small role. The director, however, was always clear that Sumathi was the most important character.
“We had to hide a bit of her story. But in a way, the film is all about her. She is the story, the film’s most important character. We’ll definitely see a lot more of her in the second part.”
Padukone was pregnant when she shot for the movie’s climax. Naturally then, her comfort was Ashwin’s top priority. “We were very careful, making sure she was comfortable with every shot. I’m happy that in a way, Deepika’s baby made its screen debut,” he smiles.
The movie’s smashing success has shown that contrary to popular notion, sci-fi films have takers in India. If Ashwin has one tip to give, it is that the genre doesn’t matter, the story does. “Get your story right first. The setting and VFX are secondary. If you have a great story and even if a few VFX shots fall short, it’s fine.”
As he looks forward to working on the second part, he is mindful of the criticism that the first edition is receiving regarding its slow pace in the first-half.
“We’ve shot for probably 20 days of the second part. With Kalki, there were so many characters to be introduced. So, we took our time. But I’m listening to the feedback and trying to make sure that we make a much better [second part].”
Kalki 2898 AD director Nag Ashwin spent over three years and Rs 200 crore on CGI to create a futuristic world
9:43 AM
With Kalki 2898 AD trailer depicting two contrasting futuristic worlds, sources say director Ashwin spent over three years and Rs 200 crore on CGI to create them
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; June 13, 2024)
Bleak and barren, sure, but it’s rich in scale and imagination. If the trailer of Kalki 2898 AD is anything to go by, director Nag Ashwin has built an ingenious on-screen world for his dystopian sci-fi film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas and Deepika Padukone. Sources reveal that it took the director more than three years to create this universe with special effects. And the cost? According to sources, a whopping Rs 200 crore for the CGI itself!
Kalki 2898 AD may mark Ashwin’s first brush with a sci-fi movie, but the National Award winner knew that the genre would have takers in the Indian audience.
“Nag observed that Hollywood sci-fi action movie franchises like Mad Max and Dune fared incredibly well at the Indian box office. With Kalki, he wanted to give the audience an experience on a par with Hollywood fantasy or sci-fi films. So, he roped in several visual effects companies, including DNEG, and Famous Studios to build the story’s two distinct worlds—the desert city of Kashi, and the gigantic structure, known as the Complex, which is marked by lush gardens and flowing waterfalls. When the project rolled in July 2021, the CGI work began simultaneously, and cost approximately Rs 200 crore,” says a source.
At the trailer launch, the director also revealed that it took two years to build Bujji, an AI-powered car that Prabhas’ character Bhairava rides in the movie. Bachchan’s sagely look in the June 27 release has also caught fans’ attention.
The source adds, “Bachchan sir’s make-up took three hours every day.”
Pre-production for Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone's film begins
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Director Nag Ashwin on kickstarting his magnum opus starring Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Prabhas
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; February 28, 2021)
Best known for his National Award-winning Telugu film Mahanathi (2018) starring Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salmaan, and Vijay Devarakonda, writer-director Nag Ashwin is now in the midst of the pre-production for his next. Produced by C Ashwini Dutt, the magnum opus aroused immense curiosity for the casting coup. The multilingual project announced last year, features Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, and Deepika Padukone.
Due to the pandemic, the project could not kick off earlier, but Ashwin, who has been fine-tuning the script and logistics, says, “I have had my round of meetings with all three of them separately. Pre-production has been going on for long. We will begin shooting around June-July.”
Spanish cinematographer Dani Sanchez-Lopez and composer Mickey J Meyer have been roped in for the film to be shot pan-India. The two had earlier collaborated with Ashwin on Mahanathi. Veteran filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao has been brought on board as a mentor for the sci-fi thriller. “I am partial to the sci-fi genre. I have grown up watching these films,” says Ashwin, adding, “I am also fascinated by mythologies. Basically, I like stories that involve magic and illusion.”
Ashwin’s latest directorial venture, X-Life, starring Shruti Haasan and Sanjith Hegde, was part of the Telugu anthology Pitta Kathalu, which dropped on Netflix earlier this month. “Both films happen to be about sci-fi, but they are not related. I began this genre with X-Life, which is about virtual reality and how we believe technology is empowering us but, it is controlling us,” explains Ashwin, who is also producing a Telugu comedy, Jathi Ratnalu featuring stand-up comic Naveen Polishetty.
Deepika Padukone has her hands full with Pathan, The Intern, Shakun Batra's next, Mahabharat, Nag Ashwin's directorial
8:46 AM
Actress has back-to-back film shoots lined up next year, before she starts prep to play Draupadi
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 14, 2020)
After almost two months of nonstop shoots in Goa, Mumbai, Alibaug, Deepika Padukone is on the verge of completing Shakun Batra’s upcoming directorial, which also features Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday. While the team will reunite in January for a few scenes and a song, a bulk of the film should be wrapped up within a fortnight.
The actress took a short break from the relationship drama to shoot with Shah Rukh Khan for two days in November for their spy thriller Pathan. She has allotted bulk dates to this film next year. After the Mumbai schedule, the team will fly off to the UAE and other exotic locations early next year for some daredevil fights. Deepika, who plays a secret agent like SRK, will be a part of the action.
“Pathan will be shot till mid-next year, but Deepika will start work on Nag Ashwin’s next directorial with Prabhas in the first quarter of 2021. A futuristic sci-fi with lots of thrills, it will also have her performing some daredevil stunts,” informs a source close to the actress.
Towards the middle of next year, she will flag off the official adaptation of the 2015 Hollywood comedy drama, The Intern. That film is currently in prep. “2021 will be the first year since 2013 when Deepika will juggle multiple films. After completing these assignments by the year end, she’ll jump into the period epic, Mahabharat. Deepika plays the role of Draupadi and will get into extensive prep for it, before rolling it by early 2022. She will devote almost half the year to it,” the source concludes.
I have multiple films lined up, so there is certainly no break on the horizon-Deepika Padukone
8:26 AM
Deepika Padukone, who has back-to-back biggies lined up, feels ‘absolutely great to be back on set’ and do what she loves ‘doing the most’
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 7, 2020)
Of late, she has been spotted multiple times around the city shooting for director Shakun Batra’s yet-untitled next. And although Deepika Padukone has been at work during the pandemic, the actor isn’t complaining at all. “It feels absolutely great to be back on set and do what I love doing the most — performing in front of the camera,” she says.
Padukone, who is currently juggling between the shoots of Batra’s film and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathan, has a solid line-up ahead as she ventures into different genres such as relationship-based drama, spy thriller, sci-fi spectacle, comedy/drama and mythology. She also has director Nag Ashwin’s next (co-starring Prabhas), The Intern remake and Draupadi.
“From this point, I have multiple films lined up, so there is certainly no break on the horizon (smiles). All my films have already been locked, and decided upon, but I can’t talk about all of them right now,” says the actor, who is excited to team up with her first co-star, Khan, again after 13 years.
Moreover, Padukone is set to kick start 2021 with a new project. “Early next year, I start my film with Nag Ashwin. As everyone knows, right now, I am busy with Shakun’s next. After that, there is another film lined up, which will be announced soon. So, I will be constantly at work now, minus any breather,” she says.
For the time being, she is happy to be back on film set. “Also, it’s fantastic to work with someone like Shakun, who is just so brilliant. The whole process of the way he directs, and the way he gets things out of you as an actor is something that helps us (actors) really thrive, and [that’s what we] look forward to. So, honestly, I really couldn’t have asked for more,” she concludes.
Amitabh Bachchan is booked for a year
8:15 AM
With a TV show, two complete films, three upcoming shoots and one project to be announced, Amitabh Bachchan is booked for a year
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 12, 2020)
While most actors half his age are still wondering about when to get back into action, Amitabh Bachchan brought in his 78th birthday on Sunday on a set, but took a break to be with the family for a rather quiet celebration later in the day. After battling the Coronavirus for almost three weeks, the actor has resumed work on the ongoing season of his reality show, Kaun Banega Crorepati. He shoots from 9 am to 9 pm, and then puts in a stint at the recording studio, rationalising his hectic schedule with something his father, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, would always say, “Jab tak jeevan hai, tab tak sangharsh hai (Till the time one lives, the struggle continues).”
From November, the actor will commence shoot on his action fantasy adventure, Brahmastra, fronted by Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. “It’s just patchwork so he should be done in less than a week,” revealed a source close to the actor.
After Brahmastra, there’s a yet-to-be-announced project, before he moves to Nag Ashwin’s futuristic sci-fi, also featuring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, which is expected to roll in the summer of 2021. Bachchan plays one of the central characters, who is at the core of the conflict. Contrary to speculations, it’s not a cameo, but a full-fledged role and he has already allotted bulk dates for it.
After wrapping it up, Big B will commence Vikas Bahl’s coming-of-age comedy, Deadly, which revolves around a funeral. “He has been in contact with the filmmaker all through the lockdown and has had multiple script reading sessions with Vikas,” informs the source. He will be joined by an A-list actress.
Over the last few months, Bachchan has also been busy dubbing for two films which are complete, Nagraj Popatrao Manjule’s Jhund, in which he plays football coach to a team of slum kids, and Rumy Jafry’s Chehre where he puts a stranger — who has sought refuge at his outhouse for the night after his car breaks down on the dock in his mock courtroom telling him, “Behind every successful man is a crime.”
Deepika Padukone unlocks a high five with '83, Shakun Batra's next, Prabhas's sci-fi, The Intern, Draupadi
8:23 AM
After a sports drama slated for Christmas, the actress will get busy with a modern romance, a comedy drama, a mythological, and a futuristic sci-fi film
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 24, 2020)
Earlier this March, Deepika Padukone was all geared up to start filming for director Shakun Batra’s next in Sri Lanka. Then, the Coronavirus pandemic hit all plans for a six and like everyone, she has been confined to home since. After playing house and experimenting with different recipes in the initial stages of the lockdown, the actress returned to work and has had several virtual script-reading sessions with different writers.
Now, she has her slate in place with diverse subjects; from a contemporary romance to a comedy drama, from a mythological to a futuristic sci-fi. There is also Kabir Khan’s sport-drama, ’83, with husband Ranveer Singh as India’s winning captain Kapil Dev, and her as his better half, Romi Dev. Initially scheduled to open on April 10, the film, which documents India’s historic 1983 World Cup win, has now been announced as a Christmas 2020 release. “Deepika wants to explore all kinds of films and pick roles that will resonate with the audience and leave an impact. The first film she will kick off after this forced break is Shakun’s untitled film, followed by the official adaptation of Hollywood hit, The Intern. Then, she will move on to a film with Prabhas,” informs a source.
While Shakun’s film is an urban relationship drama, also featuring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday, The Intern remake is a comedy drama. the Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway and Rene Russo-starrer revolves around a 70-year-old widower who, bored of a retired life, becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site.
The recently announced untitled, pan-India multilingual film with the Bahubali actor Prabhas and directed by Nag Ashwin is expected to roll in April 2021. “It’s a futuristic sci-fi film with plenty of VFX and scaled-up action. The concept is novel and budget-wise, it will be one of the biggest Indian films till date. Being prep-heavy, the director and his team have already begun work on visualisation and logistics,” the source reveals, adding that this space is a first for the actress and she is looking forward to the start the shoot.
From the future she will move to the past with Draupadi. Based on The Mahabharat, the mythological drama, that is produced by the actress and Madhu Mantena, is currently being scripted. Speaking to Mirror (October 25, 2019), Deepika had described Draupadi as “role of a lifetime”. The epic extravaganza unfolds through the eyes of its female protagonist and could be made in two or more parts. It was earlier announced as a Diwali 2021 release.
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