With debut vehicle on back-burner, Salman Khan's rumoured girlfriend Iulia Vantur begins another project, with the same director
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; January 15, 2020)

Iulia Vântur's Bollywood launch, Radha Kyun Gori Main Kyun Kaala, which was rechristened Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, did not take off. Prem Raj Soni's directorial venture was announced in 2018. Two years later, the Romanian actor-anchor finds herself back in his fold for another project, Laila Manju.

The comedy, starring television actor Shashank Vyas, beauty pageant winner Nehal Chudasama, and Abhimanyu Tomar, who featured in the song, Yaad piya ki aane lagi, is being shot in London since a month.

Says a source, "She is the latest addition to the cast. Iulia began shooting on Monday. The makers are keen to keep things under wraps and have told the cast to not post pictures from the set, or reveal details about the film at this juncture."

Both Vântur and Soni have a common connect — their proximity to Salman Khan. The source adds, "It is because of this [connect] that she landed a role in Radha Kyun Gori... but the project faced production issues."

Soni earlier directed the Khan-starrer Main Aurr Mrs Khanna (2009) and later helmed Preity Zinta's 2013 film, Ishkq In Paris, in which Khan had a cameo.

When mid-day reached out to Soni, he responded with a pithy: "I am busy with the shoot." Vântur did not respond to our texts.

Last year, Vântur shot for Ali Jacko's thriller, Jack Stall Dead, in London. Jacko, a former world lightweight kick-boxing champion, who is based in the UK, is also Khan's buddy.

"Vyas and Tomar play the title roles. It is a laugh riot about two youngsters trying to win over a girl [Chudasama]. Jimmy [Sheirgill] and Farida Jalal are also part of the cast."

It is also said that Khan is keeping himself up-to-date about the project. The film is being shot in a start-to-finish schedule. The unit is slated to return next month.

Three months after film was stalled following producer Prernaa Arora’s arrest, it is being resuscitated with new makers, new title and new look for leading lady
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 6, 2019)

Mirror had earlier reported (October 7) that Iulia Vantur is making her Hindi debut with Radha Kyun Gori Main Kyun Kaala alongside Jimmy Sheirgill. However, the film which was to go on the floors in November last year, hit rough weather in December with the arrest of its producer, Prernaa Arora, in a cheating case. While buzz was that it was shelved, Mirror has learnt that three months on, it is being resuscitated with a new title, new producers and a new look for Iulia.

According to a source, Kashish Khan and Om Prakash Bhatt have come on board to produce the film with director Prem Soni. “It is now called Moh Moh Ke Dhaage. Shooting starts in Europe in the first week of May with Iulia and Jimmy where the childhood and younger portions of Iulia’s character will be shot. After that, the team will move to Mathura where the film is based and will chronicle Iulia’s connection with Lord Krishna. The team plans to wrap up in one schedule.”

Soni confirmed the news, saying, “I am producing the film with my production partners. Now, the project has nothing to do with Studio Five Elements (Prernaa’s production house) or Prernaa. The rights are with me and everything is going as planned. Europe will be a small schedule, a major portion will be shot in Mathura. We will be revealing Iulia’s new look soon.” As Mirror had earlier reported, Iulia plays a Krishna bhakt in the film.

Upala KBR (MID-DAY; January 30, 2019)

Iulia’s Vantur’s Bollywood debut vehicle Radha Kyun Gori Main Kyun Kaala had hit a roadblock after producer Prernaa Arora was arrested by the Economics Offences Wing (EOW) in December, for allegedly cheating Vashu Bhagnani of Rs 32 crore. Now, the movie is back on track.

Director Prem R Soni says that the social drama, which was to go on floors last December, will roll in March. “We will start shooting in Mathura and Delhi. Post that, we will move to Europe and complete the film by May. It will be made in co-production with another studio that I am in conversation with. However, Arjun Rampal is no longer part of the movie. He has been replaced by Jimmy Sheirgill.”

He maintains an optimistic attitude about the unfortunate turn of events. “If we had shot the movie with Studio 5 Elements [Arora’s studio], we would have been in a problem now. I am thankful that didn’t happen.”

He also refutes rumours that the movie rights rest with Arora. “From the title to the script — all the rights lie with me.”

Ask if Vantur is disappointed by the delay and he says, “Iulia is a positive person. She knows we have a great story that needs to be told.”

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 13, 2018)

On December 7, Prernaa Arora, the co-founder of KriArj Entertainment, was arrested by the Economic Offense Wing of Mumbai Police for allegedly swindling producer Vashu Bhagnani of Rs 32 crore. Reportedly, she ha sold ‘exclusive’ rights of her films to multiple investors resulting in a breach of contract. Following her arrest, there was talk about her upcoming production, Radha Kyun Gori Main Kyun Kaala, which mark the Hindi film debut of Salman Khan’s good friend Iulia Vantur, being shelved. However, director Prem Soni, who’s also her co-producer, told Mirror that the film will go on the floors as scheduled in January 2019 and unaffected by Prernaa’s skirmishes with the law.

"There will be no delay. The shoot commences in Europe from January 20, followed by a two-month schedule in Mathura starting in February,” informed Prem.

Mirror had earlier reported (October7) that Iulia plays a Polish girl who falls in love with India and becomes a Krishna bhakt. Jimmy Sheirgill also plays a pivotal role in the film, which is inspired by a true incident. It was to be produced under the banner of Studio Five Elements founded by Prernaa, Arjun N Kapoor, Om Prakash Bhatt and Kashish Khan in association with Prem’s banner, Premraj Pictures. “I’m in touch with the relevant people who have assured me that everything is in place,” Prem asserted.

Meanwhile, singer Mika Singh was recently arrested by the UAE Police following a complaint by a 17-year-old Brazilian model that he llegedly sent her indent pictures. He is curntly in an Abu Dhabi jail and being questioned by the local police.

In June, Singh had announced his foray to film production with Aadat, which features Bipasha Basu as a cop and her actor-husband Karan Singh Grover as a shrewd businessman. The Bhushan Patel directorial rolled in London in September. Vikram Bhatt, the film’s co-producer and writer, told Mirror, “The film wrapped up on November 1 and will release in the first half of 2019 without any hurdles. We are done with the shooting and are currently into post-production. I don’t see any concern regarding the film because everything was finalised way in advance,” he stated.

Bipasha and Karan had earlier featured in the 2015 horror film, Alone, coincidentally also directed by Bhushan. 

Iulia Vantur says she sought Khan's opinion before giving her nod to her Bollywood debut, given his ability to pick good scripts
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; October 20, 2018)

As though her association with Salman Khan wasn't reason enough, Iulia Vantur's Bollywood debut is certain to attract eyeballs for another reason too — it sees her play a rape survivor at a time when debate around sexual abuse has taken the nation by storm.

Well aware of the sensitivity that attaches itself to the subject, Vantur tells mid-day of her film Radha Kyun Gori Main Kyun Kaala, "My character endures a traumatising experience. Though she has been raped, she doesn't let it impact her life. She seeks justice, doesn't give up, and prevents the painful experience from changing her life. It's about a sexual assault survivor finding the strength to move on."

Having launched the film's poster earlier this week in the company of Khan, her rumoured love interest, Vantur admits she did seek his opinion before giving her nod to the film. "Salman has a good sense [of selecting the right] script. He has it in his genes. I trust his knowledge and experience. He has been in the industry for 30 years, and I feel grateful to have him guide me. In fact, he was the one who encouraged me to do the movie."

Prem Soni's directorial venture is inspired by a true story, we hear. Even though the Romanian model has made her singing debut in India, she says she's uncertain about her vocals being used in this offering. "We are still working on the music. It would be ideal if I sang [in this film] as my voice would match that of my character. Probably it will happen. But, we'll have to see," she says, adding that the film's pressing subject served as motivation for her to greenlight the project.

"I wanted to be part of a good movie that has a strong social message. And, of course, my director is a positive and kind person. He convinced me to do the movie." Having always been inclined towards the arts, Vantur reveals that as a child, she took on the roles of presenter and singer, among other creative titles. Even though an acting course did occupy her time when studying law, she says she never thought about pursuing the craft actively. "Acting, singing and presenting are artistic ways of expressing oneself. In Romania, I've acted in a musical play too, even though I was playing myself in it. This film will give me an opportunity to explore myself further."

Back home, Vantur admits that news of her Bollywood shenanigans raises many eyebrows. "My family is always surprised when I tell them what I'm doing. When I say I am singing, they say, 'What? Really!' Now that I told them about my acting debut, they had the same reaction. But, my family trusts me and wants me to be happy. Everything that I have done in my life has been guided by my heart, so they trust that I would only do something respectable," she says, adding that it was her father who was keen on her pursuing law.

While she had initially hoped to take tutorials in learning Hindi, the singer-actor says she's stripped of time, given the film's schedule. "We have less than a month to start shooting, so I don't know if I will have the time to learn as much as I would have liked. But, I am sure Prem will help me."

Film, in which she plays a Krishna bhakt, will be shot in Agra, Mathura and Delhi; Jimmy Sheirgill co-stars
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 6, 2018)

Romanian actress and Salman Khan’s good friend Iulia Vantur plays the lead in Prem Soni’s Radha Kyun Gori Main Kyun Kaala opposite Jimmy Sheirgill. The film rolls in November. As Mirror had earlier reported (August 21), she will play a Krishna bhakt.

“Despite being born in the West, I have long been fascinated by India and its culture. I am delighted to be part of a film that speaks about Krishna consciousness and deals with a strong social issue. I’m also humbled to play a person who experiences the hospitality this country is famous for,” Iulia asserts.

Jimmy who plays an endearing, innocent man, reiterates that the film will awaken minds to the love and warmth India offers.

Prem informs that he has wanted to work with Jimmy for a long time and has finally landed the opportunity. “For Iulia’s character, I was looking for someone who doesn’t have an onscreen image, someone who looked spiritually elevated. It’s a completely deglamorised role and she has been prepping for it since the last month-and-a-half,” he says, adding that the film will be shot in Mathura, Agra and Delhi. “We are looking to wrap up by January.”