Om Raut, best known for Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, is likely to come on board to helm an upcoming actioner featuring Tiger Shroff and Vidyut Jammwal. The project, backed by Bhushan Kumar, is in the early stages of development. A source close to the production reveals that Raut has already pitched a script to the actors. “He has pitched a script and they are currently jamming over it. It is at a nascent stage,” the source states.

Interestingly, Milap Zaveri was earlier rumoured to be directing the venture. However, he has since been announced as the director of another film with the same production house, starring Harshvardhan Rane.

“The story by Om is completely different. He has not stepped into Milap’s shoes. If everything goes well, the film will go on floors this year,” the source adds. This will mark Bhushan and Om's reunion post the debacle of Adipurush.

Earlier while talking about Adipurush's performance at the box office, Om in an interview said, “Our first day was Rs. 70 crore, and that’s just in India. Our total box office was over Rs. 400 crore. So, the numbers were very large… With Adipurush, there was a loss of perception, not a loss of revenue. If the perception was positive, if the perception was under control, we would’ve seen an exorbitant number, which we did not see. That was disappointing.”

Actor Tiger Shroff’s recent work includes big-budget action films such as Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024) and appearances in projects like Singham Again (2024), continuing his image as one of Bollywood’s most prominent action stars, though some of his recent films have struggled critically and commercially.

Meanwhile, martial-arts specialist Vidyut Jammwal was last seen headlining the sports-action film Crakk: Jeetegaa… Toh Jiyegaa (2024) and also appeared as an antagonist in the Tamil film Madharaasi (2025), maintaining his reputation for physically demanding action roles. Filmmaker Om Raut, on the other hand, last directed the mythological epic Adipurush (2023), starring Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan, a high-budget adaptation inspired by the Ramayana that generated massive buzz but received mixed to negative responses.

If there’s one thing Prabhas is known for beyond his roles, it’s his love for food, a passion that even left director Om Raut stunned during the shoot of Adipurush (2023).

During an interaction for the film Couple Friendly with actors Santosh Shobhan and Manasa Varanasi, Prabhas recalled, “When I was shooting in Mumbai for Adipurush, it was my cheat meal day. I was with Raut, and told him, not Mumbai, I would get him special food from somewhere else (Chennai). He kept waiting, and it was taking hours. I wasn’t letting him eat anything else.”

As the wait stretched on, Raut grew curious about the delay. That’s when Prabhas revealed the surprising truth. “He was shocked. I told him that someone was bringing a hot meal on a flight from Chennai for us. Raut was like, ‘I’ve never seen someone like you in my life’,” the 46-year-old actor added.

Explaining why he goes to such lengths, Prabhas said, “We get the food in Hyderabad, but that authenticity is missing. People joke whenever I have cheat days about which state my meal will be brought in from.”

Having been a part of the industry for over three decades, Manoj Bajpayee has dabbled in various genres. Just last month, the actor featured in the indie film Jugnuma and the satirical comedy Inspector Zende. Up next, he is set to reprise his role in the acclaimed series The Family Man 3. However, there is still one genre he hasn’t yet explored and is eager to step into.

“I would love to act in a VFX-heavy film because I really don’t know how to act in front of a green screen. Many people tell me it’s quite a challenge and requires a specific technique. But I’ve never done it, apart from using that for anchoring or hosting a documentary. So, it would be very interesting,” the 56-year-old shares.

Filmmaker Om Raut, who produced Inspector Zende, is known for making such technologically-driven films, with Tanhaji: The Unsung Hero (2020) and Adipurush (2023) in his repertoire. Recently, he had mentioned wanting to direct Manoj in a film, and the actor himself is looking forward to it.

“I used to go and sit next to him during the shoot and ask for a role in his next. I’m a struggler and I have no shame about it. I’m always hustling for a great role. He’s been telling me [that he wants to direct me] but he can always change his mind since he lives in Bandra and has many actors in his neighbourhood,” he laughs.

With The Family Man 3, Manoj returns to play the secret agent, Srikant Tiwari. This is just one of the many roles he’s played as an officer of the law, the most recent being Inspector Zende. Ask what pulls him towards such roles and he says, “It’s not that I want to play a man in a uniform. It’s always about who’s wearing the uniform, what he’s doing, where he’s coming from, his upbringing and the factors that have made him who he is. Such aspects interest me much more than the exterior facets.”

Imagine a film franchise on the unsung heroes of India— that was actor-producer Ajay Devgn’s plan after his Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020) became a runaway hit. However, he couldn’t put the plan to action at the time as director Om Raut and he got busy with their respective projects. Over four years on, it looks like the actor-director duo may reunite for the second instalment of the franchise. Not just that, sources say Devgn is keen to rope in Hrithik Roshan for a pivotal role in the historical drama.

In the past few months, Devgn and Raut apparently met a couple of times at the actor’s office to discuss taking the ‘Unsung Warriors’ franchise ahead. A source tells us that the duo was initially keen to bring the story of Baji Prabhu Deshpande, a 17th century general of the Maratha army, to the big screen.

The source elaborates, “The brave-heart is known for his role in the Battle of Pavan Khind, which took place in 1660 and saw him sacrificing his life to defend Shivaji Maharaj. But Ajay and Om hit the brakes on their plan when the Marathi film, Pawankhind [2022], which explored the same subject, was made. Now, they are toying with two options—either tell the same story on a grander scale, or choose another hero from the Maratha kingdom. The talks are still at the nascent stage. They haven’t entirely scrapped the idea of making the Baji Prabhu biopic, as a lot of research and planning had been done on that front.”

In Tanhaji, Devgn played the eponymous hero, even winning the National Award for Best Actor for the performance. Saif Ali Khan stepped into the shoes of Udaybhan Singh Rathod, Tanhaji’s adversary in the story. While Devgn will play the lead in the second instalment, he is eager to cast Roshan as the antagonist.

The insider shares, “Ajay feels Hrithik has tremendous screen presence and charisma. Couple that with his acting prowess, and the superstar will be a towering rival to Ajay’s character.” If things work out, this will be the two superstars’ first on-screen union. As far as the casting of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is concerned, we have heard Sharad Kelkar will reprise the role after Tanhaji.

Filmmaker Om Raut’s Adipurush, starring Prabhas and Kriti Sanon, faced widespread criticism and underperformed at the box office. Nevertheless, in a recent interview on Amol Parchure’s YouTube channel, Raut defended the film and claimed that it had suffered from misleading perceptions.

The filmmaker also asserted that the film had “actually performed well” financially. Emphasizing that stars like Prabhas and Salman Khan are “flop-proof,” thanks to their star power, he said, “Ups and downs can’t affect them because the audiences’ love for them is beyond comprehension.”

Regarding the film’s performance, Raut revealed that Adipurush earned Rs. 70 crore on its first day in India alone, with a total box office gross exceeding Rs. 400 crore. He noted, “The numbers were substantial… With Adipurush, it was a loss of perception, not revenue. If the perception had been positive and under control, we would have seen much higher numbers, which was disappointing.”

The controversy surrounding Om Raut’s Adipurush, which is a retelling of the Ramayana, refuses to die down. Not only are clarion calls for a blanket ban on the film growing louder, but the backlash has also translated to a dip in box-office collections, despite a positive opening weekend. Here’s a roundup of all that ensued.

All India Cine Workers Association president Suresh Shyam Lal Gupta has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for an immediate ban on the film for “hurting religious sentiments”. He has also urged an FIR against director Om Raut, co-writer Manoj Muntashir and the producers. 

“The screenplay and dialogues are clearly defaming the image of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman,” read the letter written on Tuesday, adding, “The movie depicts Lord Ram and even Raavan like characters from a video game. We request Modi ji to ban screening Adipurush in theatres and OTT platforms immediately.”

In response to the backlash, the makers of Adipurush said recently that they would omit the dialogues found objectionable and release a fresh cut. Actor Prem Sagar, whose father, late Ramanand Sagar, helmed the iconic 1987 television serial Ramayan, wonders how writer Manoj Muntashir “conceived the dialogues”. “It might be a misjudgment that the younger generation would like it. Don’t say it is based on Valmiki Ramayan; give it any other name. Call it a fantasy film. But, if you’re making Ramayan, you can’t hurt sentiments,” he told ANI, adding that he “doesn’t even want to watch the film”.

The box-office collection of the Prabhas-starrer fell drastically during the week. From a Friday figure of Rs. 87 crores (nett), the India collection across languages dipped to Rs. 67 crores (approx) over the weekend. On Monday, it further dipped to Rs. 19.5 crores while on Tuesday, it fell to Rs. 13 crores.

Actor Kriti Sanon held a screening of her film for the students of her alma mater, Delhi Public School, RK Puram, on Wednesday. Sanon booked a show at PVR Sangam in RK Puram. “Since the film is based on the Ramayana, children would enjoy it,” says a source.

Actor Dipika Chikhlia Topiwala, who played Sita in the iconic TV show Ramayan, feels it’s high time an epic like the Ramayana stops being remade. Taking to Instagram, she shared a video clip, saying: “We often see the Ramayana being recreated after every few years, be it for a film or a TV show. Ramayana is our epic. We should not recreate it. Whenever it is made, there is some or the other controversy around it. It is a subject we should worship. We should [instead] teach it in educational institutions.”

It’s been three days since Adipurush released and the film has received a mixed bag of responses thus far. But, more than the story and how the makers would reimagine the Ramayana, it’s Prabhas’ portrayal of Raghav (Lord Ram) that was the talking point ever since the project was announced.

Ask if he had any apprehensions before giving his nod to playing this part and the actor says, “There were apprehensions, but no reservations. Portraying such a revered figure comes with a great responsibility, considering the emotional and spiritual attachment people have towards Lord Ram.”

In an interview earlier, Prabhas had expressed that if he made a mistake with Baahubali, it would’ve been fine, but he can’t take that chance with Adipurush.

Prod why and he tells us, “This film revolves around the Ramayana, which is deeply rooted in Indian culture and religion. Hence, my approach was to portray this part with utmost authenticity and respect.”

The actor also credits director Om Raut, for it his “unwavering support and guidance” that gave Prabhas confidence. “I’m grateful to the makers for having faith in me and believing that I could bring this celebrated character to life. A lot of preparation and hard work, not just from my end, but the entire team, went behind playing this role. Also, Om’s clear vision would feed our imagination so well.”

Given that Prabhas enjoyed unmatched fandom following the success of Baahubali, his fans were seemingly disappointed when his last two outings — Saaho (2019) and Radhe Shyam (2022) — failed to meet expectations. Here, the actor points out that more than the hero persona, it’s the “character or content” that matters.

“A film’s business at the box office has many factors. But, as an actor, I focus more on delivering my best performance. Hero persona or not, I want to bring my best to the table every time I do a role. As an actor, my job is to make the audience resonate with a character, to make them feel that there is something in common,” he concludes.

Producer Bhushan Kumar and director Om Raut are not nervous about how Adipurush will perform, as they’re proud to have done the best they could while making the film. With the hype surrounding the Prabhas and Kriti Sanon-starrer, coupled with a monumental budget that they “overshot”, the ticket prices have spiked, with some theatres in Delhi selling them for Rs. 2,200.

“There are three price brackets — regular, popular and blockbuster. Big films like Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva, RRR, K.G.F: Chapter 2 (all 2022) opted for blockbuster rates. But, we opted for the popular rates. The tickets are expensive, as Adipurush is also available in 3D and theatres have added their cost,” explains Kumar.

Raut says that he asked for the ticket price to be capped: “We would’ve sold the tickets for Rs. 100 so that masses could afford it. Aage ke decisions hamare haath mein nahin hain.”

While deciding the film’s cast, both Raut and Kumar “only had Prabhas in mind to play Lord Ram”. Kumar shares, “Because of the image he had in Baahubali, we didn’t consider anyone else. For Janaki’s role, we discussed many names, but zeroed in on Kriti. She’s done a great job.”

Making a film based on an epic like the Ramayana would have been a tricky task. Ask how they managed to go about it, and Kumar shares, “Om had a checklist of things we should not do. He had everything documented from the experts. Even when we went to the Censor Board for certification, we were prepared for the questions that might come up. I’m glad we got a U certificate.”

By the grace of God, Bhushan ji and I will work together in the future as well. He has been a blind supporter in whatever I intended to do. Adipurush was a tough film for everybody else other than me.

We are blessed to have finished such a huge film. With my father (late) Gulshan Kumar ji’s blessings, we have been able to deliver our movie on the revised release date. Making it was like a roller-coaster ride since the beginning.

Prabhas’ screen presence and pan-India appeal made him a compelling choice to portray Raghav in Adipurush, which releases today. In a conversation with us, the actor talks about how stunned he was by director Om Raut’s vision for the magnum opus and more. Excerpts:

The idea behind Adipurush is not just to make a visual spectacle, but also to spread awareness about Indian culture. Our rich Indian values presented through storytelling need to be conveyed to the digital generation. The story will make them aware of the true longing for love, what loyalty and friendship stood for ages ago and how this is relevant even today.

If you are telling a good story, the audience will surely come to watch it on the big screen. Not the actors, but content is king. Spectacle adventure films have their own appeal, as they offer immersive visual experiences and thrilling narratives.

Physical transformation is an integral part of preparing for roles like Baahubali or Adipurush. When it comes to portraying characters who possess immense strength and stature, you need to have a dedicated approach towards fitness and diet. However, for Adipurush, it was not just about the physical transformation, as portraying Raghav required a certain understanding and mindset. The aim wasn’t just to deliver a physically convincing performance but also an emotionally impactful one to capture the depth and nuances of the character’s journey.

In one of the biggest roles of her career, Kriti Sanon will be seen playing Janaki in Om Raut’s magnum opus Adipurush. The movie that has her sharing screen space with Prabhas for the first time, hits the screens this Friday. Ahead of the film’s release, Kriti talks about the challenges she faced in bringing this part alive on screen. Excerpts:

In her repertoire of films, Kriti played contemporary roles, rooted characters from the heartland of India and even starred in period films. Talking about transforming into Janaki for Adipurush, Kriti says, “Portraying a character that is so revered is an extraordinary privilege that rarely presents itself in an actor’s career. I’m truly grateful to Om Raut and Bhushan Kumar for entrusting me with this remarkable role. I believe we don’t choose our films and characters. The films and characters choose us. I was meant to play Janaki and I feel blessed that Janaki chose me. ”

Speaking about working with Prabhas for the first time, she shares, “I had heard he was reserved and initially he did come across as shy. But there wasn’t much ice to break. I just casually started talking about how my first film was a Telugu movie and it’s tough to act in a language that I didn’t know, then he opened up and started talking. He is incredibly grounded, warm and respectful. He has very expressive eyes and a calm demeanour and I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing Raghav.”

-------------------------------------

"The transformation into Janaki was also about internalizing the essence of the character. It took a lot of effort to immerse myself into Janaki's persona and understand her emotional journey and virtues and bring her alive on screen"

-------------------------------------

"This is the first film that I've fully shot on a blue screen. It was a huge learning experience to adapt to this style of filmmaking. The magnitude of VFX in Adipurush is massive. It's going to be a visually spectacular experience"

Last week, the Adipurush team unveiled the first song, Jai Shri Ram, from Om Raut’s directorial venture. Lyricist Manoj Muntashir says that while the track serves as the theme of the Prabhas and Kriti Sanon-starrer, Ram Siya Ram — that releases today — is designed as an ode to the lead couple’s love.

“Jai Shri Ram was composed by Ajay-Atul first, and then the lyrics were written. When Om and I heard it, we instantly knew we had something divine on our hands. Through it, we wanted to convey the magnificence of Lord Ram. Ram Siya Ram is about the equation and love between Lord Ram and Sita Devi, and also addresses how the Ramayana is an integral part of our lives,” says Muntashir, who has also written the movie’s dialogues.

Also starring Saif Ali Khan, Adipurush is based on the epic Ramayana and is one of the most ambitious films of 2023. Muntashir says that given the movie’s subject, he turned to poet Tulsidas for inspiration. 

“I’ve been heavily inspired by him in the entire album. I’ve tried to mix his thoughts with colloquial words, as the film is releasing in 2023. So, I blended today’s language and culture with the piety of Baba Tulsidas.” He found a perfect collaborator in Raut. The director, he says, is well-versed with the scriptures. “Om has studied the different versions of the Ramayana.”

In her showbiz journey over the last nine years, Kriti Sanon has been a part of films of diverse genres. After making her debut with Heropanti in 2014, she made a mark as the quintessential Bollywood heroine in several big-ticket films. But she didn’t stop at that. She went on to pick roles that gave her a chance to push the envelope and showcase her range as an actor. In 2021, Kriti won immense appreciation for her role as a surrogate mother in Mimi and the Filmfare Award for the Best Actress, which was followed by the creature comedy Bhediya last year, a genre that hasn’t been explored in Bollywood much. In a conversation with BT, the actress talks about how she’s constantly changing gears in her career and the surprises she has up her sleeve for the audience this year. Read on...

Success at any time is what we all are looking for, especially in times like these where films are struggling a bit to do what they should do or would have done in another time. So, when Bhediya got the reactions it did and performed well, it gave me a little more confidence in my own choices.

It was one of those films that I was extremely sure of when it came to content. Also, I knew we had done something unique in terms of its VFX. When you are absolutely sure of something and that doesn’t end up working then you start questioning your thought process, your choices and decisions. You start wondering if your choices are still resonating with the audience and that is a scary feeling. Bhediya was, in fact, one of the first few films that I was not nervous about. Sometimes you are aware that the part that you are playing in a film isn’t long in terms of screen time, but it is relevant and there is meat in it. I also did the film for that one twist (in the climax). I am glad Bhediya got the love it deserved.

The audience can probably look forward to far more versions of me. It starts with a very glamorous one which is a family entertainer, followed by probably my biggest film, Adipurush, which I am extremely proud of. Then there is a lot of action coming in with Ganapath, something I have done for the first time. You will see me ride a dirt bike, throw kicks and punches and also use a weapon. I am also doing a quirky love story with Shahid Kapoor. We are teaming up on screen for the first time, so you will see fresh chemistry. Then there is The Crew, which has three women (Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and me) coming together, having a lot of fun and creating something amazing.

No. I don’t think we can make our future choices in retrospect. It isn’t a good way to move ahead. We can’t say... ‘Achcha this has worked, so let me do this’. Because that film has worked at that time. I believe that every film and genre have the right timing. Timing is important in terms of when the film is releasing and what the audience is craving for. I go by my gut feeling and instinct. When I hear a script, I try to see if it gets me excited as an actor, as an audience or both. I don’t want the audience to put me in a box where they say if it is a Kriti Sanon film toh aisi hi hogi. I want to give them a variety of content and characters. After Bareilly Ki Barfi, I was getting small-town roles one after the other. So, I did the war epic drama Panipat. Then I took up a strong and meaty role in Mimi and moved on to the next level. I want to shift the gear constantly and not stay in one particular zone. You have to move on and think what’s next, otherwise you will stagnate.

I have been here for nine years and I am glad that finally people are seeing the actor in me. Having said that, I don’t think I have reached even 50 per cent of what I can do. There is a lot more I can offer. Sometimes the opportunity you get gives you a lot to do and you shine. Sometimes it is limited in terms of what the role is or what the screenplay is. There is only so much for you to perform and do. Then there is a film like Mimi, which gives you the range and kind of scenes where you can go all out and shine. So, it is a matter of getting the right opportunity at the right time. I am just glad that people are seeing me in different zones. I am glad Om Raut saw me as Janaki for Adipurush, Vikas Bahl saw me kicking ass as Jassi in Ganapath, Rohit Dhawan saw me as this glamorous urban girl for my upcoming film, Shehzada. I feel excited and blessed in this phase, which probably is the best of my career. It took a lot of consistency, passion, hard work and belief in myself to get here. It is only when you believe in yourself that someone else will believe in you. I’m happy with where I am today, but I still feel that I am not even close to exploring half of my potential. I want to do more. So, you just believe in yourself and hold on closely to the people who are with you when you are not doing well! I think that is very important, too.

After weeks of criticism over the quality of VFX and visuals in the film’s trailer, makers of Adipurush have decided to take more time to enhance the visual experience of the Prabhas-starrer. Director Om Raut announced on Monday morning that the film will now be released on June 16, 2023, instead of January 12.

Raut shared a note on Twitter, saying, “Jai Shri Ram. Adipurush is not a film, but a representation of our devotion to Prabhu Shri Ram and commitment towards our sanskriti and history. In order to give a complete visual experience to the viewers, we need to give more time to the teams working on the film. Adipurush will now release on June 16th, 2023. We are committed to make a film that India will be proud of. Your support, love and blessings is what keeps us going. - Om Raut (sic).”

Meanwhile, a new report by MensXP claims that the makers will be redoing the film’s entire VFX portion and for the same, they will be spending an additional ₹100 crore.

Earlier, responding to the backlash, the director had told News18, “I guarantee that nobody will be disappointed.” However, even the theatrical trailer proved to be similar in visual effects.

The idea of retelling the Ramayana had germinated in director Om Raut’s mind in the early 2000s when he watched Japanese filmmaker Yugo Sako’s anime film, Ramayana: The Legend Of Prince Rama, based on the Indian epic. Years on, ready with Adipurush, the filmmaker launched the highly anticipated teaser over the weekend.

The first look of the Prabhas, Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon-starrer received mixed to negative reviews, with netizens trolling the visual effects. While Raut has reportedly stated that he is “not surprised” by the negative reactions as the film is “not made for the small screens” of mobile phones, it is now heard that the director and T-Series have decided to employ a new team of VFX experts to rework the footage.

An insider tells us, “Om had always envisioned the movie as a cross between folklore and technology. While the story is Amar Chitra Katha in its tonality, the makers don’t want a highly animated look anymore. Between mid-October and November, a new trailer will be worked upon and launched for the audience. A 10-member VFX team is being created to rework a large part of the film’s footage. The final edit will be locked after multiple focus group screenings in October, paving the way for promotions in December.”

mid-day reached out to the film’s team, who remained unavailable till press time.

It seems like the journey of Om Raut’s Adipurush, featuring Prabhas, Kriti Sanon and Saif Ali Khan, has not started on a positive note. The period drama is being called out for its heavy use of CGI and VFX, which is apparently giving the movie an unrealistic look. Based on the epic Ramayana, the film stars Prabhas as Lord Ram, Khan as Ravana and Sanon as Sita. Recently, a teaser was released, and since then, it has been trending on social media for the overuse of visual effects.

As soon as it was questioned, NY VFXWaala, a studio founded by actor Ajay Devgn, released a statement, saying: “Leading VFX studio, NY VFXWaala, has clarified that they have not worked/are not working on the CG/special effects of Adipurush.”

A video of the film’s lead, Prabhas, visibly angry, has also surfaced online. He is seen asking Raut to come to his room, which has led to speculations that all is not well between them.

The movie is also running into troubled waters with people objecting over “misrepresentation” of the Ramayana. BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra threatened to take legal action against the makers, alleging that it is an insult to the Hindu religion. “The costumes and looks of Hindu deities as seen in the teaser are not acceptable,” Mishra told mediapersons.

Actor-politician Malavika Avinash also slammed makers for “misrepresentation” of the Ramayana. “The Ravana in the photograph that I see floating around is a guy who looks nothing Indian, who has blue eye makeup and is wearing a leather jacket,” she told ANI.

Actor Mukesh Khanna, who played Bhishma in BR Chopra’s TV show Mahabharat, said, “You call the film Adipurush, you may tell me that it is the story of a man from the Stone Age. Why do you have the title of Ramayan then?”

Amid the growing negativity, Raut defended this film. “I was disheartened, for sure, not surprised because the film is made for a larger medium — the big screen,” he was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, which Ajay co-produced, also won the Best Popular Film – Providing Wholesome Entertainment Award.

Reflecting on it, Ajay says, “As the producer of the film, it gives me immense joy to receive the award for the Best film that has provided wholesome entertainment. Tanhaji was exactly that. It is a good story of friendship, loyalty, family values and sacrifice. It has strong national sentiments, super VFX and a holistic approach in entertainment. I must share the honour with my director Om Raut, my co-producers and co-actors. Most of all, I thank my creative team, who has contributed handsomely to making this a blockbuster and now a National Award-winner.”

The film was Ajay’s 100th film as an actor. Does that make this victory more special? “Honestly, all films are special,” he says, adding, “I’m so passionate about my cinema, it’s hard to choose the 100th film above the 99th one. Yes, I agree that Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior is special because it came together so beautifully.”

The actor had announced that the film marked the beginning of the Unsung Warriors franchise. Ask him if this win gives his plans a boost further, and he says, “The Unsung Warriors franchise is definitely on. We are working on it and already have one in the pipeline. However, a franchise like this needs a lot of patience and research. So, the progress will be slower than in the case of regular cinema.”

------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------

Filmmaker Om Raut was busy working on his next project when he got a call congratulating him on winning a National Film Award for Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior, and he has not stopped smiling since then. “It’s my first award, but I am not the first one in my family to get it. My grandfather (late J S Bandekar) and mother (Neena Raut) are National Award winners,” he tells us, adding, “The first one is always special.”

The 2020 film has bagged three awards — Best Actor, Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Costume Design.

Raut says getting the national honour not only validates the entire team’s efforts in making the ambitious project on the life of Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare, but also infuses energy to outdo the expectations: “It was a big film. We got good box-office success, but when we started with it, it was madness. Ajay Devgn (actor-co-producer) has been so supportive in every aspect of the film. When I narrated the film to him, he said he would not only act in it but also back it.”

This year, the National Film Awards were dominated by the myriad hues of regional cinema. “They are called National Awards for a reason,” Raut stresses, adding, “I don’t think cinema can be divided by any boundaries or language. You can’t break it down in any way or language. My first film was in Marathi, my second was in Hindi, and my third is in Hindi and Telugu. Tomorrow, I might make a film in some other language. What is important is the story you want to tell. Language doesn’t matter.”

Playing a fictional mightier-than-thou hero in the Baahubali franchise is one thing, but essaying the role of Lord Ram on screen is a different ball game altogether. Prabhas knew it would be a mammoth undertaking when he agreed to headline Om Raut’s Adipurush, an adaptation of the Ramayana. The south star admits he was initially apprehensive about taking on the role.

“The initial idea was to show it as a parallel universe. I was comfortable with that. But then, Om changed his mind. That’s when I [wondered], ‘Can I do this?’ I told Om I was scared, because if I made a mistake in Baahubali, it’s fine. Here, I can’t make a mistake. It’s not just a film; it’s an important projection not only for me, but for everyone involved. I have never been as scared about any film,” says the actor candidly.

So, what made him confident about portraying the revered figure in the film that also stars Saif Ali Khan and Kriti Sanon? His unflinching faith in the director, says Prabhas. “I am stressed, but I know I have a [trusted] director who knows his job well. We have made the film with our heart and soul.”

A hero is only as good as his villain. Prabhas’s Adipurush found a worthy opponent in Khan’s Lankesh. It’s evident that his co-star has made quite an impression on him, as the south star says, “He is a spontaneous actor, and so humorous. I used to think that actors go into their vanity vans after their shot, but Saif and Amitabh Bachchan stay on the set. Saif [stays behind] to even see the lighting.”

After a roller coaster 2021 – recovery from Coronavirus (in April 2021) and going back to work with a big ticket film (Adipurush), Vatsal Sheth hopes 2022 will help him reclaim lost ground professionally, despite the slowdown due to the current Coronavirus scenario. While his Gujarati debut (Hun Mari Wife Ne Ano Husband) is finally set to release theatrically, and another Hindi film on the floors, Vatsal is moving towards the OTT space too. Excerpts from a chat:

Vatsal recovered from COVID in April 2021 and for him, going back to work was the biggest high. He says, “The second half of 2021 was good for the entertainment industry in India we were able to resume work, good content was being created and theatres reopened to 100 per cent capacity. I ended the year on a high; I wrapped up Om Raut’s multilingual film, Adipurush, one film that I am very proud of. I got to work with a fantastic ensemble cast and have a terrific role.”

The Malang actor who was set to make his debut in regional cinema in 2020 confesses that he’s relieved that his long-delayed Gujarati film’s (Hun Mari Wife…) post production is now over and the film is ready for release. “My debut Gujarati film is a lighthearted rom-com shot entirely in London and was one of my pre-pandemic projects. I am optimistic that once the COVID scenario improves and the third wave is over, cinema halls will once again go back to their full occupancy level and people will watch films in theatres,” he says.

The pandemic has seen OTT’s reach expand manifold and viewing patterns get redefined in the last two years. Vatsal feels actors have to be “medium- agnostic” and move ahead with time. “A good actor is one who can learn and unlearn throughout his/her career. None of us can afford to be complacent at any point. I have tried all kinds of work which includes fun roles (Just Mohabbat or Taarzan), shows where I have played out-and-out dark characters (Ek Hasina Thi, Baazigar, loverboy with grey shades [Haasil]). I am glad to have them on my CV and these project me as a performer who can challenge himself to any extent,” he says.

Vatsal is now open to exploring work in the OTT space. He says, “OTT has changed the screen habits of urban Indians. Look at the popularity of Squid Game, its success clearly depicts that language is not a barrier anymore if you have a good concept in hand. Currently, I am in talks for a couple of OTT projects, it will be interesting to explore this medium.”

The pandemic had brought regional cinema to a grinding halt in 2020 and the first half of 2021 with barely any theatrical releases. Now that the Gujarati film industry is on a recovery mode and is on its way to gaining lost ground, Vatsal confesses he’s upbeat about doing regional cinema, especially Gujarati cinema.

“The last two years have been tough on regional filmmakers but the second half of 2021 has seen Gujarati films explore even the direct to OTT release route when theatres hadn’t reopened. This is the same route that Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films have taken too and is a smart move. When someone’s money is a stake, you can’t hold on to a project for a theatrical release. While a theatrical release gives you a massive high, it’s important to see that one’s work reaches audiences. The plus point is that our stories are heard and the maker gets some of his money back,” he says.

Vatsal feels, “A couple of Gujarati web series and films released on OTT were pretty interesting. There’s a lot of good work that's happening. I am discussing a couple of Gujarati film projects and if things go as planned, I’ll start shooting for my second Gujarati film soon.”

Vatsal started his career in showbiz as a child artiste in the show Just Mohabbat and has done his share of TV (Ek Hasina Thi, Rishton Ka Saudagar… Baazigar, Haasil) before taking a short break from the small screen. The actor who was last seen in Yeh Rishtey Hai Pyaar Ke in 2020 in an extended cameo says the sabbatical from TV wasn’t planned. He says, “I had some film commitments and I wanted to devote time to those. Doing a daily soap is time consuming and I didn’t have the bandwidth to handle TV and films at the same time. It wasn’t feasible.”

Vatsal adds, “TV hasn’t taken a backseat. I am waiting for a good show and dates that match and I will take one up post that. TV's popularity continues to be massive – loyal viewers have not moved on to OTT entirely. Plus, Hindi TV is also trying to be more in sync with what the millennial audience wants to watch. The makers are trying out some interesting concepts. I will come back on TV whenever I come across a good project.”

2020 and 2021 have been the greatest teachers for Vatsal. He says, “Almost all of us endured possibly what has been the toughest phase of all our lives during these two years. A lucky few were able to overcome tough times, but so many out there lost their livelihoods! At one point, I too thought how long can life go on like this. My wife Ishita and I tried to put out videos to help others de-stress. Ishita took up painting and we did whatever we could for our own sanity and also to create some positivity around us!”

Even though we are officially in the middle of the third wave, Vatsal feels this time around the recovery will be faster. “While it’s worrying that there’s another wave and our work might slow down again, we must stay positive. Thankfully, today slowly we are limping back as an industry and I know soon we will be running like before the pandemic had started. A lot of pre-pandemic projects that were on hold have resumed and soon they will be ready for release when things get better,” he says.

When Bhushan Kumar took charge of his father, Gulshan Kumar’s company, T-Series, he was a young 19-year-old. Today, not only has he turned the company into one of India’s most successful music labels, but he has also earned it the tag of being one of the country’s foremost film production studios. 

He is currently busy promoting his upcoming films, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui starring Ayushamann Khurrana and Vaani Kapoor and Atrangi Re featuring Akshay Kumar, Sara Ali Khan and Dhanush. Besides that, he’s also been making time to visit the sets of his upcoming films like Shehzada starring Kartik Aaryan and Luv Ranjan’s next with Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor in Delhi.

In a freewheeling chat with BT, he spoke about the changing avatar of the entertainment business and what has helped him maintain his position despite intense competition and a global health crisis. Excerpts:

As a studio, we have always tried to make films that cater to every single bracket of audience in the country. My job is also to ensure my actors and directors are happy to work with me. The encouragement and appreciation they sense from a theatrical run are unmatched.

I didn’t want to take that away from them for the sake of profit. Having said that, the theatrical situation is not what it used to be. Before the second wave hit, we had released Saina and Mumbai Saga, which did nominal business. We took the steps that were important to keep the business going at all times. So now, we have a list of films that will be released in theatres, and some that were pre-committed to OTT platforms will have a direct to digital run.

All the films on our list were made for a theatrical run, but circumstances have forced us to recalibrate and think wisely about our release strategy. Today, we have 30 ongoing projects and twice as many in different stages of development. The decision to release content on different platforms was to ensure that we keep the audience entertained and we have ample cash flow at the same time for our new ventures. Apart from strong content, we look at the cast we have on board. Releasing a film in a theatre or on an OTT platform is a decision made with experience, gut instinct and the way a project shapes up, among several other things. We have already started drawing up our plans on what will work better as an OTT release and what can now be released in theatres.

My father, Gulshan Kumar, is a source of inspiration for me. Music was in his genes which he passed on to me, and filmmaking was his dream that I am trying my best to fulfil. It was a gradual process. When I started out, I braved competition from domestic players and international companies making big films. That was a tough phase, but I didn’t want to give up. Paisa sab ke paas hota hai, but not the kind of long-standing relationships that I have built and continue to invest in even now. A great set of directors like Aanand L Rai, Nikkhil Advani, Anubhav Sinha and newer filmmakers like Om Raut and Sandeep Reddy Vanga are all working with me as creative collaborators. Most of them are producing and directing content together with us. We play on each other’s strengths. With the space we give one another, and with the way we respect each other’s contribution to every project, they don’t want to leave my corner. I have never had a specific strategy to counter competition. This business runs on hard work, a little bit of luck, your own sensibilities as a producer and as a music label. The response to our content shows that we have probably made some wise and correct decisions. In the bargain, I have earned the goodwill I have.

Yes, it’s true that the space for music in our films is depleting. As a label, you have to keep your ear to the ground and know what people want to hear. In the last two years, we’ve made a lot of singles around bewafaai, which have worked really well. Before that, we made the best recreations of old songs. We have a vast catalogue today. The content earns for itself. You just have to try and understand what the audience seeks.

Right now, my biggest worry is the health situation in our country, which is changing every day because of new variants of the Coronavirus. Today, everyone is wondering what they should make, and what might draw people into theatres. Jab lockdown tha people had content that was released on OTT, and it was consumed. The real challenge for content creators begins now. We’re positive and hopeful that things will only get better. Health and safety are really the key. What may not change from now on is that a chunk of films will continue to go to OTT platforms, and some will make their way to theatres. As usual, we are prepared to embrace change and move ahead.