Showing posts with label Son Of Sardaar 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Son Of Sardaar 2. Show all posts
Franchise flicks lose their shine as big bucks bounce back small
10:23 AM
High budget film series and sequels are struggling to generate buzz and recover costs
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 3, 2025)
Mumbai: Franchise films and sequels, once billed as sure-shot insurance against fickle audiences and shrinking theatre turnouts, are increasingly backfiring in India, with many high-budget releases struggling to generate buzz and failing to recover their massive investments.
In the first nine months of 2025, at least 10 big-ticket franchise films and sequels hit theatres, but most stumbled at the box office.
Among the biggest disappointments were Jolly LLB 3, Baaghi 4, War 2, Dhadak 2, Son Of Sardaar 2 and Housefull 5. War 2, a part of Yash Raj Films' ambitious Spy Universe, managed collections of just Rs 236.55 crore in India against a production budget estimated between Rs 300-400 crore, according to box office tracker Sacnilk.
Industry experts say the problem is that Bollywood builds its franchises as forced extensions rather than carefully thought-out universes.
"Hindi franchise films are not planned organically like Cinematic Universe films in the West. These films are made as an 'afterthought'," said scriptwriter Sudeep Nigam, known for the mini-series The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth. Nigam gave an example of the recent horror films. "I don't understand the connection between Shaitaan (2024) and Maa (2025). Shaitaan is a film about black magic. And Maa is a demon in a forest. Can these films belong to a universe because they share a theme?" he explained.
In the West, franchise films are planned well in advance and connected through consistent characters and narratives.
For instance, Marvel Studios planned for two years before it released its first Marvel Cinematic Universe film Iron Man in 2008. To date, the studio has released 33 films with careful planning in terms of budgets ($130-300 million range) and timeline (in six phases).
Lack of connection in stories between the original and the sequel has also added to the failure, especially of recent sequels and franchise extensions.
"Sequels must have plots which take stories of original films ahead. But this is not observed in recent sequels. These films are made just to cash in on the brand value built by original films. It is just weak writing," said Girish Johar, producer and film business expert.
In this context, scriptwriter Nigam cited an example of the Jolly LLB film series.
"The first two Jolly LLB films worked. Then, the idea of bringing together both heroes in a film sounded viable to its makers. But did the makers have a proper plot to justify their presence and create a proper franchise film?" Nigam explained.
After the pandemic, the box office outcome of films across geographies has become more unpredictable than in the pre-pandemic period, as films are either accepted wholeheartedly or shunned completely.
The days are gone when a film would do average business and break even. In this context, large production houses have been focusing on franchise films or sequels as they have an established audience base.
"As regards franchise films, there is too much reliance on the 'stardom' of stars rather than creating 'characters' which utilize their stardom, talent and add emotional depth to these films. Today, the story is a film's star, which makers are not fully recognizing yet," said Varun Kapoor, producer and founder of Brooken Reels Production, a film production company.
Trade analysts pointed out the poor performance of War 2 to its makers' excessive focus on the stardom of the film's stars. They noted that in the past six months at least fifty new franchise films and sequels have been announced in the industry. A few of these are Border 2, No Entry 2 and Awarapan 2.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 894
4:08 PM
MAHAVATAR NARSIMHA REFUSES TO STOP; SAIYAARA CROSSES THE RS. 300 CRORE MARK
The box office is on fire right now, even though last week’s releases failed to attract the audience in hordes. This is thanks to Saiyaara, which continues to find an audience. Meanwhile, Mahavatar Narsimha has come out of the syllabus and is the second surprise blockbuster of the year.
After starting at Rs. 1.45 crores, Mahavatar Narsimha went on to collect Rs. 32.30 crores in its first week. In its second week, it has collected more; this was expected, but what surprised the trade and industry is that it went on to earn Rs. 11.75 crores on its second Saturday and a huge Rs. 17.25 crores on its third Sunday! The film has remained steady over the weekdays. On Tuesday, collections went up due to the Tuesday offer.
Mahavatar Narsimha’s two-week collections will be around Rs. 86-87 crores. It’ll cross the Rs. 100 crore mark on Sunday. The showcasing will be impacted due to the releases of War 2 and Coolie on August 14. Yet, it’ll continue to collect as it's clear that the demand is still there.
Saiyaara got mildly affected by the Mahavatar Narsimha wave. Without Mahavatar Narsimha, the romantic saga had chances of crossing the Rs. 400 crore mark. That will not happen now. By the end of its third week, it would have collected around Rs. 309 crores. With War 2 and Coolie coming up, even Rs. 350 crores won’t be possible. But that’s not a problem as the film has done more than what it was intended to. Also, its Overseas performance has been remarkable, where it has collected nearly Rs. 135 crores and can go upto the Rs. 175 crores mark.
Speaking of last week's releases, Son Of Sardaar 2 opened at Rs. 7.25 crores, as per the expectations. The collections did not grow as the word of mouth wasn't encouraging. It'll have a first week of around Rs. 33 crores, which ideally should have been its two-day earnings.
Dhadak 2 opened below expectations, at Rs. 3.50 crores. Despite positive word of mouth, there was limited interest in watching the film. This is the reason why it had a minor jump and collected Rs. 3.75 crores on Saturday and Rs. 4 crores on Sunday. Ideally, well-received films of this zone should have collected at least Rs. 4.50 crores on Saturday. Dhadak 2 will end its run with just Rs. 20 crores in its lifetime.
The box office is on fire right now, even though last week’s releases failed to attract the audience in hordes. This is thanks to Saiyaara, which continues to find an audience. Meanwhile, Mahavatar Narsimha has come out of the syllabus and is the second surprise blockbuster of the year.
After starting at Rs. 1.45 crores, Mahavatar Narsimha went on to collect Rs. 32.30 crores in its first week. In its second week, it has collected more; this was expected, but what surprised the trade and industry is that it went on to earn Rs. 11.75 crores on its second Saturday and a huge Rs. 17.25 crores on its third Sunday! The film has remained steady over the weekdays. On Tuesday, collections went up due to the Tuesday offer.
Mahavatar Narsimha’s two-week collections will be around Rs. 86-87 crores. It’ll cross the Rs. 100 crore mark on Sunday. The showcasing will be impacted due to the releases of War 2 and Coolie on August 14. Yet, it’ll continue to collect as it's clear that the demand is still there.
Saiyaara got mildly affected by the Mahavatar Narsimha wave. Without Mahavatar Narsimha, the romantic saga had chances of crossing the Rs. 400 crore mark. That will not happen now. By the end of its third week, it would have collected around Rs. 309 crores. With War 2 and Coolie coming up, even Rs. 350 crores won’t be possible. But that’s not a problem as the film has done more than what it was intended to. Also, its Overseas performance has been remarkable, where it has collected nearly Rs. 135 crores and can go upto the Rs. 175 crores mark.
Speaking of last week's releases, Son Of Sardaar 2 opened at Rs. 7.25 crores, as per the expectations. The collections did not grow as the word of mouth wasn't encouraging. It'll have a first week of around Rs. 33 crores, which ideally should have been its two-day earnings.
Dhadak 2 opened below expectations, at Rs. 3.50 crores. Despite positive word of mouth, there was limited interest in watching the film. This is the reason why it had a minor jump and collected Rs. 3.75 crores on Saturday and Rs. 4 crores on Sunday. Ideally, well-received films of this zone should have collected at least Rs. 4.50 crores on Saturday. Dhadak 2 will end its run with just Rs. 20 crores in its lifetime.
(Crisp) Movie Review: SON OF SARDAAR 2 by FENIL SETA
3:22 PM
Son Of Sardaar 2's plot is promising and could have made for a laugh riot on the lines of Welcome, Ready and Housefull. A few scenes here and there do raise laughs and moreover, the makers managed to get a great ensemble cast. Sadly, the jokes are few and far between and on top of it, some of them don't land properly. The actions of a few characters are bizarre, while the songs are not memorable. The ending thankfully has some good moments and that really saves the film. Ajay Devgn plays his part with utmost sincerity. Mrunal Thakur delivers a fine performance and has a lovely screen presence. Ravi Kishan is the best performer in the film. Deepak Dobriyal gets to play an entertaining part; Kubbra Sait is confident. Sharat Saxena makes his presence felt, despite late entry. Roshni Walia, Vindu Dara Singh (Titu) and the late Mukul Dev (Tony) are adorable. Chunky Panday and Sanjay Mishra are shockingly disappointing because of the writing. All in all, Son Of Sardaar 2 is an average comic caper.
My rating - ** ½ out of 5!
My rating - ** ½ out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 893
10:51 AM
WILL SON OF SARDAAR 2, DHADAK 2 CONTINUE THE MOMENTUM AT THE BOX OFFICE?
The month of July was maybe the best one for the industry in a long time. Every week, at least one film managed to be a success at the box office, across languages. On July 4, Metro…In Dino started on a slow note but then picked up and held steadily. Jurassic World: Rebirth was a hit from day 1 and will cross the Rs. 100 crore mark. A week later, Superman also managed to do well. On July 18, Saiyaara opened with a bang and is now all set to be a Rs. 350 crore grosser, shocking one and all. Not much was expected from Mahavatar Narsimha, but it showed a historic trend. After opening at just Rs. 1.45 crores, it collected Rs. 3.50 crores on Saturday and a huge Rs. 6.85 crores. On Tuesday, thanks to the discounted ticket offer, it earned Rs. 5.50 crores. At this rate, it’ll have first week collections of around Rs. 28-29 crores and can hit the Rs. 50 crore mark or even more in its lifetime.
Meanwhile, two significant films will be out tomorrow, August 1. Son Of Sardaar 2 was all set to be out on July 25, but was postponed on July 19 due to the unstoppable Saiyaara wave. The decision was a good one, as Son Of Sardaar 2 would have faced problems in getting screens.
The comic caper stars Ajay Devgn, Mrunal Thakur, Ravi Kishan, Neeru Bajwa, Deepak Dobriyal, Kubbra Sait, Chunky Panday, Sharat Saxena, Vindu Dara Singh, Roshni Walia, Sanjay Mishra, Ashwini Kalsekar and the late Mukul Dev. From the trailers, it looks like a fun entertainer with the song 'Pehla Tu Duja Tu' becoming a rage, especially its unusual dance step.
However, the buzz for the film is limited. It’ll open at around Rs. 7-8 crores and might have an outside chance of crossing the Rs. 10 crore mark. A good word of mouth will help in better collections on Saturday and Sunday.
Dhadak 2, meanwhile, is backed by Karan Johar and is a remake of the 2018 acclaimed Tamil film, Pariyerum Perumal. It stars Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri and was in the news as it faced issues over its censor process. The Central Board of Film Certification finally passed the film in May but with several cuts. The trailer is decent but for a film like this, songs need to be chartbusters, which hasn’t happened here.
Dhadak 2 should open around Rs. 4-5 crores. Both films have a discount offer and that would help in a push in the footfalls.
The month of July was maybe the best one for the industry in a long time. Every week, at least one film managed to be a success at the box office, across languages. On July 4, Metro…In Dino started on a slow note but then picked up and held steadily. Jurassic World: Rebirth was a hit from day 1 and will cross the Rs. 100 crore mark. A week later, Superman also managed to do well. On July 18, Saiyaara opened with a bang and is now all set to be a Rs. 350 crore grosser, shocking one and all. Not much was expected from Mahavatar Narsimha, but it showed a historic trend. After opening at just Rs. 1.45 crores, it collected Rs. 3.50 crores on Saturday and a huge Rs. 6.85 crores. On Tuesday, thanks to the discounted ticket offer, it earned Rs. 5.50 crores. At this rate, it’ll have first week collections of around Rs. 28-29 crores and can hit the Rs. 50 crore mark or even more in its lifetime.
Meanwhile, two significant films will be out tomorrow, August 1. Son Of Sardaar 2 was all set to be out on July 25, but was postponed on July 19 due to the unstoppable Saiyaara wave. The decision was a good one, as Son Of Sardaar 2 would have faced problems in getting screens.
The comic caper stars Ajay Devgn, Mrunal Thakur, Ravi Kishan, Neeru Bajwa, Deepak Dobriyal, Kubbra Sait, Chunky Panday, Sharat Saxena, Vindu Dara Singh, Roshni Walia, Sanjay Mishra, Ashwini Kalsekar and the late Mukul Dev. From the trailers, it looks like a fun entertainer with the song 'Pehla Tu Duja Tu' becoming a rage, especially its unusual dance step.
However, the buzz for the film is limited. It’ll open at around Rs. 7-8 crores and might have an outside chance of crossing the Rs. 10 crore mark. A good word of mouth will help in better collections on Saturday and Sunday.
Dhadak 2, meanwhile, is backed by Karan Johar and is a remake of the 2018 acclaimed Tamil film, Pariyerum Perumal. It stars Siddhant Chaturvedi and Triptii Dimri and was in the news as it faced issues over its censor process. The Central Board of Film Certification finally passed the film in May but with several cuts. The trailer is decent but for a film like this, songs need to be chartbusters, which hasn’t happened here.
Dhadak 2 should open around Rs. 4-5 crores. Both films have a discount offer and that would help in a push in the footfalls.
I was the worst student in class while Varun Dhawan was the most hardworking student-Kubbra Sait
8:46 AM
Kubbra Sait on working with her acting school alumni Varun Dhawan in David Dhawan’s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 27, 2025)
Even as Kubbra Sait awaits the release of Son of Sardaar 2, she is thrilled to have already completed her second comedy feature, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. Unlike the Ajay Devgn-led film, the David Dhawan directorial features her in a small part. “In all honesty, that was a one-day shoot,” she reveals.
But that didn’t matter, as the opportunity to be part of a film directed by the veteran filmmaker was quite special for the actor. “For me, it’s a legacy project, because I’m working with ‘the’ David Dhawan,” she says, before mentioning that the film "was also giving me a chance to work with Mrunal Thakur, whom I last worked with in Son Of Sardaar 2. So, it would have been an extension of our earlier collaboration. Varun Dhawan has been my classmate in my acting class! Lastly, Maniesh Paul is someone I have shared the stage with for so many years. So, that for me was a project I would never say no to, even if it was an hour’s job,” she shares.
Sait tells us that Varun and she attended Barry John’s acting school before making their screen debuts. “We were in the same batch. I would [often] run away to do my events and other stuff; I think I was the worst student in the class. Varun, on the other hand, was the most hardworking student,” she smiles
When you see Ajay Devgn having a sense of calm despite the changes...-Kubbra Sait
10:36 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 22, 2025)
Over the weekend, Son Of Sardaar 2’s release was postponed, with the Ajay Devgn and Mrunal Thakur-led comedy now arriving on August 1. The decision is speculated to be a result of Saiyaara’s strong box-office run. When we get on a call with actor Kubbra Sait, she is unaware of the reason for the one-week delay. All she knows is that it will be the perfect belated birthday gift for her.
“Earlier it was to release on July 25, now it’s on August 1. My birthday is on July 27. Either way it’s a birthday gift for me,” she chuckles, before saying, “I don’t have any information [about the reason for the delay]. I’m happy it’s releasing on August 1. It’s a good thing that people are going back to the theatres. So, if one [film is] creating space for our film, that’s fantastic.”
Featuring in director Vijay Singh Arora’s comedy after a string of intense stories like Deva, Shehar Lakhot (2023), and The Trial (2023) was refreshing for Sait. Her first brush with the genre has left her wanting more.
“I’ve heard every [actor] say that comedy is a very difficult genre. So, I went in with that pressure. But everything happened [smoothly]. The script was tight, my colleagues were fun, and we shared our lives with each other over the 45-day stretch in Scotland,” she smiles.
What helped matters was having actor and producer Devgn as the captain of the ship. Son of Sardaar 2 faced many changes — from Sanjay Dutt being replaced by Ravi Kishen, to Vijay Raaz being dropped following allegations of inappropriate behaviour on set. She says, “When you see Ajay Devgn having a sense of calm despite the changes, it changes so much in the atmosphere. He set the stage by being a great example.”
The people who are speaking out now weren’t even in touch with Mukul-Rahul Dev
3:51 PM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; June 16, 2025)
The sudden passing of actor Mukul Dev at 54, on the late night of May 23, left the industry in shock. While tributes poured in, some also speculated about his health and emotional state. His elder brother, actor Rahul Dev, now addresses these conversations, offering clarity and an honest account of Mukul’s final days.
Rahul shares, “He was in the ICU for eight and a half days. Medically, it was a result of poor eating habits. In the last four-five days, he had stopped eating altogether. Of course, he felt lonely, and he had lost interest in life. Usko zindagi jeene ka jazba nahi tha. He would turn down several work offers.”
Mukul had shifted to Delhi in 2019 to care for their ailing father, who passed away that same year. Their mother passed away in 2023. Rahul says, “Only now, after completing all the rituals, is the reality sinking in — and I know the pain will only deepen.”
Rahul recalls how Mukul increasingly withdrew into himself, turning to writing — a solitary pursuit. He says, “He invested himself in writing and grew reclusive. I always encouraged him to return to acting. He missed his daughter immensely, who wasn’t living with him. He wasn’t looking after himself and living alone didn’t help.”
Addressing the circulating claims of Mukul being in depression or unwell, Rahul says, “The people who are speaking out now weren’t even in touch with him. They say he was unfit, but he ran half-marathons. Yes, he had gained weight — when someone stops caring about themselves, it shows. He felt isolated. Who really stayed in touch with him between 2019 and 2024? Did they visit him when he was in hospital or attend his prayer meet? He had two upcoming releases and had recently shot in England for Son Of Sardaar 2. No one will cast you if you’re not fit.”
Though Mukul had transitioned into writing and co-wrote Omerta for Hansal Mehta, Rahul believes the solitary nature of writing may have deepened his sense of isolation. “He was a gifted writer, but writing is lonely work. He needed companionship and a sense of purpose, and those were missing.”
The sense of loneliness, Rahul says, defined a large part of Mukul’s life. “I’m a widower, and he was a divorcee. Sometimes I wonder — is it a kind of curse? When you separate from someone you’ve loved deeply, it’s incredibly hard. Har koi akele aata hai, akele jaata hai, people say — but it’s different when you’re living that aloneness. Mukul split at a young age, and while he had a strong bond with his child, he was never really meant to be on his own,” Rahul shares, and recalls, “He was always surrounded by people, especially women — from childhood, he was effortlessly charming. I, on the other hand, was always shy around girls. He was a star before he became one. And the irony is, someone so naturally social ended up so alone. He never remarried or tried again. His life was full of such ironies. I wish he had been more receptive — things could have turned around.”
Rahul, who is just under two years older than Mukul, often took on a more parental role. He recalls, “I would scold him about his health, and he’d avoid me, especially towards the end. I remember a moment from our childhood — our mother was narrating the story of Shravan taking his blind parents on a pilgrimage. While I quietly teared up, Mukul said, ‘I’ll take you and dad around the world when you turn blind.’ Our mom laughed and said, ‘We’re perfectly fine, why do you want to blind us just to travel with us!’ (laughs!).”
As he reflects on his brother’s legacy, Rahul says, “I choose to remember him not as the man who faded away, but as the super charming, intelligent, and sensitive person he truly was. Kamaal tha woh. His memory was razor sharp — he could learn South Indian dialogues in a snap while I’d take hours. He wasn’t a bechara. He was incredibly gifted — he could’ve been anything: a pilot, a writer, an actor. He brought joy, wit, and energy into every room. That’s the Mukul I knew and that’s how I want the world to remember him.”
Ajay Devgn's upcoming films include Dhamaal 4, Drishyam 3, Shaitaan 2, Golmaal 5
8:23 AM
New instalments dominate 2025 slate of superstar Ajay Devgn, who will wrap up De Pyaar De 2 and Son of Sardaar 2 by February; to kick off Dhamaal 4 in summer
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; January 30, 2025)
If franchise films are the ticket to success today as many filmmakers and trade analysts will have you believe, Ajay Devgn seems to have a winning hand. The superstar has seven franchise films in the pipeline, with his 2025 release slate consisting of three sequels — Raid 2, De De Pyaar De 2, and Son Of Sardaar 2. He will also shoot for the latest instalment of Dhamaal this year, while scripting of Drishyam 3, Shaitaan 2 and Golmaal 5 is in process.
For now, director Anshul Sharma’s De De Pyaar De 2 has Devgn’s undivided attention. An insider reveals, “With Rakul Preet Singh and R Madhavan, Ajay is filming the 12-day schedule at various sets across Mumbai. The cast and crew will head to Punjab by mid-February for the final leg during which two songs and some emotional scenes will be canned.”
The actor will then swiftly move from the world of the romantic comedy to that of his action comedy. The insider adds, “While in Punjab, Ajay will also shoot a song for Son Of Sardaar 2, after which it will be a wrap on the movie that also stars Mrunal Thakur and Ravi Kishan.”
Summer will see the actor returning to the universe of Dhamaal, six years after headlining the last instalment, Total Dhamaal (2019). While Total Dhamaal’s stars Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit-Nene will be missing in the upcoming instalment, Devgn will reunite with franchise regulars Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi and Jaaved Jaaferi for Indra Kumar’s directorial venture.
A source reveals, “The unit will kick off the shoot in Mumbai before heading to Goa for an elaborate schedule in April. Indra-ji has got bulk dates of the cast and will film the comedy in a straight schedule till August, readying it for a Diwali release. The adventure comedy, produced by Ajay and Bhushan Kumar, among others, has been written by Paritosh Painter, Balwinder Singh Suri and Bunty Rathore.”
By the year-end, it will be time for the superstar to prep for what is easily among his most loved franchises—Drishyam 3. We’ve heard that the crime thriller’s script is currently being penned by the writing teams of the Malayalam and Hindi versions, with director Jeethu Joseph leading the former. The source adds, “The plan is to shoot Mohanlal’s Malayalam and Ajay’s Hindi versions simultaneously in 2026.”
Ajay Devgn drafting a worthy cameo for Sanjay Dutt in Son Of Sardaar 2
8:12 AM
After visa fiasco compelled Son Of Sardaar 2 makers to limit Sanjay Dutt’s role, Ajay Devgn eager to ensure film’s third edition has him return in all glory; actor is drafting a worthy cameo for Dutt in sequel
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; November 2, 2024)
Among the most telling signs of the lasting impression an actor leaves on the audience is a measure of how eagerly fans await his act in the film’s sequel. Evidently then, chatter around Sanjay Dutt’s appearance in the second edition of Son Of Sardaar (2012) is testimony that his role as the revenge-seeking Billu was much appreciated.
Questions about Dutt’s association with the film were raised after his UK visa was denied, leading to speculation that the actor wouldn’t return to the franchise, fronted by Ajay Devgn. However, mid-day has it that Devgn is eager to have his close friend shoot a sequence that will serve as a precursor to the film’s third edition, which is expected to star Dutt in a prominent role.
Pointing to the fact that the shooting schedule was affected after Dutt’s visa was denied, a source close to the production says, “Instead of Sanju, Ravi Kishan shot the part. This was done to ensure that the makers didn’t waste the day since several actors had made themselves available for the leg.”
While Kishan takes the baton from Dutt, we are told that he does not reprise his role in this offering that is also being co-produced by Devgn. “Ajay feels Sanju is an irreplaceable part of the franchise and is eager to rope him in. So, Ravi Kishan and Sanjay Mishra will play Punjabi and Bihari dons, respectively, in the movie that is based on gang wars.”
Dutt, as Billu, is expected to feature in a small role—one that gives viewers a peek into what can be expected of the third part. “For the second edition, the creative team has worked out a seven-day shoot for him in Punjab, along with the rest of the cast,” says the source, quick to add that since Dutt hasn’t been given a narration yet, his association with this film is still uncertain.
“His role had been written, but Sanju expressed reservations and asked the team to return with a fresh script for his part. He has informed Ajay’s team that once he approves of his role and its impact on the story, he will take a call and discuss financial matters and [his availability]. Ajay is personally working with the writers to ensure Sanju’s role is well crafted. Currently, Ajay is shooting for De De Pyaar De 2. He will then kick off Luv Ranjan’s next.”
If Dutt agrees to be part of the second edition, his shooting stint and the film’s post-production work are expected to be done simultaneously. “In part three, Dutt’s character will be a prominent antagonist,” signs off the source.
Replacing Vijay Raaz in Son Of Sardaar 2 wasn’t easy-Sanjay Mishra
8:24 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (October 23, 2024)
Sanjay Mishra recently joined the cast of actor Ajay Devgn’s upcoming project Son Of Sardaar 2. The actor was offered the role as a replacement for actor Vijay Raaz, who faced an ugly exit from the film, with both him and the producers narrating different versions behind this decision.
When asked about stepping into Raaz’s shoes, Mishra told India Today, “I am done filming for Son Of Sardaar 2. All of this is a part of the business, to be very honest. I did the film because I got a call from Ajay Devgn. One call from him and that’s all it takes for me to say yes to him. He’s a close friend and has been there for me in tough times. Not just that, replacing Vijay wasn’t easy.”
Speaking about Raaz, Mishra added, “He’s a phenomenal actor, as we all know. At the back of my mind, it was surely playing that I needed to perform and deliver my best, especially because I replaced a fine actor like Vijay. We are also friends and will remain. I’m a fan of his work, and he’s amazing at what he does. This instead motivated me to better my performance, so I don’t disappoint my audience and Ajay, who always shows faith in me.”
Producer Kumar Mangat Pathak had earlier said that Raaz was ousted due to his ”behaviour” on set. Raaz had responded saying, “The only misconduct from my end is I didn’t greet Mr Ajay Devgn.”
How could they cancel my UK visa after issuing it?-Sanjay Dutt
8:19 AM
The actor, who was unable to travel to the UK for a shoot, believes what the authorities did was wrong
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; August 9, 2024)
Recently it was widely reported that actor Sanjay Dutt was excluded from the movie
Son Of Sardaar 2, as his UK visa was rejected by the British government. The movie starring Ajay Devgn is currently being shot in Scotland. Reportedly, Sanjay’s UK visa application was denied due to his past incarcerations.
In the meantime, there has been a buzz that Sanjay may join the cast in a special appearance, when they come back to shoot in India.
For the first time, the PK actor addresses the rumours, while exclusively talking to BT. Sanjay goes on to lambast the questionable decision. He states, "I know one thing that the UK government did not do the right thing. They gave me the Visa (initially). Waha (in the United Kingdom ) sab payment ho gaye the. Everything was ready. Then a month later you are cancelling my Visa! I gave you (the UK government) all the papers and everything (required). Why did you give me the Visa (in the first place)? You shouldn’t have given me the visa. How come it took you one month to realise the laws?"
Sanjay was replaced by actor Ravi Kishan at the last minute. When asked about the possibility of a special appearance in the film, he said, "I don’t know about that". The actor admits he did not "miss out" on the project.
"Waise bhi who is going to UK? There are so many riots happening there . Even the Indian government has issued a statement that you should not visit UK. (So), I am not missing out on anything. But yes, they have done wrong. They need to rectify this. I am a law-abiding citizen. I go according to the law, and I respect every country’s law," he concludes.
Sanjay Dutt is the latest entrant in star-studded Housefull 5
8:08 AM
Dutt is the latest entrant in star-studded Housefull 5; to join comedy’s unit after Son of Sardaar 2 shoot
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 13, 2024)
In the world of Housefull, bringing in a multitude of stars is the secret sauce. Last month, mid-day reported that director Tarun Mansukhani had approached Arjun Rampal, John Abraham and Bobby Deol to join the fifth instalment, which will be led by Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan (Everyone’s invited to this house party, June 19). Is that one too many? Not really. We’ve now exclusively learnt that Sanjay Dutt is the latest addition to the laugh riot’s cast.
The actor’s comic timing and the ease with which he pulls off gags makes him a natural fit for the franchise. A source says that Mansukhani and producer Sajid Nadiadwala were keen to have him on board as soon as the script was developed.
A source reveals, “The director-producer duo are not only bringing most actors from the past instalments together, but also adding new players to the Housefull universe. Sanju loved the one-line narration, and put his team at work to sort out the dates. He is slated to shoot Ajay Devgn’s Son Of Sardaar 2 from July-end in Scotland that will run for over a month, followed by another stint in Chandigarh. Housefull 5 will roll in September with a 45-day schedule aboard a cruise liner. The actor has given his nod to the comedy while his team figures out the logistics.”
Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Mrunal Thakur to begin shooting for Son Of Sardaar 2 in Scotland from July-end
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Sanjay, who featured in Son of Sardaar, roped in to play Ajay’s rival in the sequel; actors to kick off 50-day schedule in Scotland by the month-end
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 2, 2024)
When Ajay Devgn announced Son of Sardaar 2 almost 12 years after the original’s release, the questions about the cast were inevitable. Earlier, reports suggested that neither leading lady Sonakshi Sinha nor Sanjay Dutt would feature in the action comedy’s sequel. But now, mid-day has exclusively learnt that Dutt has been signed on for Vijay Kumar Arora’s directorial venture.
So, will the actor reprise his role of Balwinder Singh Sandhu aka Billu to Devgn’s Jassi? Yes and no. It turns out that the sequel is a fresh story, and doesn’t pick up where the original ended.
A source reveals, “That said, since the characters of Billu and Jassi were loved by the audiences, the two actors are expected to stick to their characters’ names. Their dynamics, however, will be different. While the two were at loggerheads with hilarious results in Son of Sardaar, this time, their rivalry will be intense, with Sanjay’s role leaning towards the antagonist. Off screen, the two actors are close friends, and Ajay has made sure that Sanjay has a fantastic role in the second part.”
Arora, who is a successful Punjabi director and served as the director of photography on Devgn’s Action Jackson (2014), plans to take the action comedy on floors around July-end.
“Ajay, Sanjay and Mrunal Thakur, who has been roped in as the female lead, will kick off a 50-day schedule in Scotland. It is famous for its castles, historic towns, lochs, and beaches, with many episodes of Game Of Thrones, and much of the Harry Potter franchise having been shot there. The direction team had done a recce earlier this year, and finalized the scenic towns of Glencoe and Glenfinnan, as well as sites such as the Culross Palace, Doune Castle, Preston Mill and Falkland Palace. The locations form a fitting backdrop for the kind of action and drama that the director has in mind. A few romantic songs featuring Ajay and Mrunal will also be shot in the country’s picturesque locales,” adds the source.
Devgn is expected to wrap up the shoot of Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again next week, after which he will focus single-mindedly on Son of Sardaar 2. After the Scotland schedule is complete, the actor will start filming De De Pyaar De 2 in London.
Border 2, Son Of Sardaar 2 embroiled in legal woes, say sources
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Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 23, 2023)
There has been buzz that actors Sunny Deol’s Border (1997) and Ajay Devgn’s Son Of Sardaar (2012) will be revived and turned into franchises. We’ve learnt that there is no truth in these claims as the films are stuck in legal complications.
Squashing all speculations, a source tells us, “When it comes to Border 2 and Son Of Sardaar 2, there are many doubts about the way ahead. Both of the films are still embroiled in legal complications, which makes creating a franchise difficult.”
Director J P Dutta’s Border featured actors Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Akshaye Khanna and Kulbhushan Kharbanda along with Deol. A source says, “Bharat Shah, the original presenter and financier, has filed a case on the makers for not giving him the money as Dutta had sold the film to someone else. At that time, he was claiming Rs. 12 to Rs. 15 crore. Now he is asking for Rs. 25 to Rs. 30 crore.”
This is the same case for Son Of Sardaar, which was a remake of the 2010 Telugu film Maryada Ramanna and starred Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha and Juhi Chawla. The source says, “The financier Bablu has the legal rights to the property. The film franchise can’t go ahead without getting into legal trouble. People are just running with speculative stories to create a buzz, with no truth to it.”
The rumours of Deol being roped in for Border 2 began after the success of Gadar 2, explains the source as it “was Sunny’s second biggest film”. “If the legal issues are sorted, then it might turn into a reality,” the source wraps up.
Ajay Devgn's Shivaay to release on Diwali 2016; Son Of Sardaar 2 on Diwali 2017?
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Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; May 29, 2015)
Ajay Devgn, who recently announced about releasing his directorial venture Shivaay on Republic Day 2017, has now decided to advance the date to Diwali next year. What’s more, he has also booked Diwali 2017 for the sequel to his 2012 production Son Of Sardaar.
Initially, Karan Johar had booked Diwali 2016 for his Salman Khan-starrer Shuddhi. With Varun Dhawan replacing Sallu in the project, Devgn decided to grab the date.
The actor-producer, interestingly, has announced the release date though the shoot of Shivaay will begin from January next year. Even in the case of Son Of Sardaar 2, the date has been declared though the script, director and cast are yet to be finalised. The actor’s spokesperson says, “Shivaay has a new release date. While for Son of Sardaar 2, only an announcement of the release date has been made.”
Directed by Ashwini Dhir, Son of Sardaar featured Devgn with Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha and Juhi Chawla. The film, which clashed with the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Jab Tak Hai Jaan, grossed over Rs 100 crore at the box office.
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