Arbaaz Khan on taking the Dabangg franchise forward; rubbishes rumours of an impending wedding
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 13, 2019)

Arbaaz Khan’s relationship with Dabangg began as the producer and a pivotal character, Makhan Chand Pandey. After directing Part 2, he is back with the franchise in the original capacities. He attributes this change of guard for the third instalment, which is a bit of an origin story of its hero, Chulbul Pandey, to the makers’ collective urge to “explore something new”.

“There’s been a big gap between Dabangg 2 and Part 3 and lots of things happened in the interim. Since we needed a fresh perspective for the third film, we thought, ‘who better than Prabhudheva’. His association with Salman (Khan) has been successful; he’s known for his commercial potboilers,” he explains.

Since Dabangg 3 is a prequel, will we also see more of Chulbul’s younger brother Makkhi’s character graph? Arbaaz says, “I’m happy with the way my character has developed, there’s a lot more for me to do; it’s got all the flavours now, in that it’s a lil’ bit funny and there are emotions and drama as well. I enjoyed playing the role this time around.”

There’s also a new girl in Chulbul’s life, played by debutante Saiee Manjrekar, whom the Robin Hood cop met much before Sonakshi Sinha’s Rajjo. According to Arbaaz, the addition was in line with the idea of giving the audience something new with each instalment. “Sonakshi and Salman are synonymous with the franchise. We can’t break that pairing. Chulbul is not the kind of guy who’d two-time, either. So, we created the scenario of someone else before he meets Rajjo,” he shares.

Arbaaz goes on to add that since the Pandey family remains the same, the team had to establish a new premise, in a new location, with a new problem and a new villain. “At the same time, the audience must feel like they are watching a ‘Dabangg’ story. With a franchise, you can’t deviate too much, otherwise, you will lose your audience,” he reasons.

Speaking of introducing new characters, Kannada actor Kiccha Sudeep, who was recently seen in Pehelwan, looks like a worthy antagonist for Chulbul Pandey. Arbaaz informs that the team was looking for someone who would be a good match for Salman, as an actor and in stature on screen. “Lots of names popped up, which I won’t reveal. Sudeep rang a bell. He’s a big star down South, it helps to pit two stars against each other. He is a great guy, too,” he says, adding that a film can sometimes take up to a year to go from planning to release so they wanted to work with someone they would enjoy collaborating with.

Next up, the actor has several projects lined up. “My first Malayalam film, Big Brother, with Mohanlal sir, opens in January. It’s huge to share screen space with such a legend. The film is directed by Siddique, who helmed Bodyguard,” Arbaaz informs. He’s got some Hindi film offers too, and is also working on some subjects to produce.

Salman recently told Mirror (Dec 12) that the script of the fourth instalment is already complete. “I can assure you, the fourth instalment will happen in three-four years,” he promises.

There has been a lot of buzz around his personal life, with reports suggesting that girlfriend Georgia Andriani and he will tie the knot next year? “Who says that? My driver? My aunt? My brother? My girlfriend? My best friend? I won’t respond to questions based on hearsay. When I get engaged or married, dhol peet ke bolunga.”

Well aware that viewers are drawn to cinema halls due to Salman Khan and not his characters, Dabangg 3 baddie Kichcha Sudeepa on transforming to match the superstar's physique and personality
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 5, 2019)

Film after film, Salman Khan ropes in the mightiest men from B-Town to play antagonists in Dabangg, only to beat them to pulp in the climax. Taking over the baton from previous baddies Sonu Sood and Prakash Raj, Kannada superstar Kichcha Sudeepa says acquiring a physical stature that can hold merit before that of Khan on camera is as toilsome as the process of getting beaten by him.

"I trained hard. Salman has [a good physique] to show, but I didn't. Luckily, since I played a wrestler in Pailwaan, I had some definition. But, I didn't have the required bulk needed for the film," says Sudeepa, who took to skipping and cycling to whip himself into shape. The 26-day shooting schedule for the climax scene was held on sets constructed in Dahisar, and involved brutal and hard-hitting fights, including hand-to-hand combat scenes. "At times, the set was cold, and then we'd be burning cars, so it would be hot again. There was also a lot of dust, and I'd get suffocated with it when I had to fall, because I was the one getting beaten up in the scene. I also developed chest congestion," says the actor, glad that their effort has paid off. "Salman showed me the climax scene on Saturday. It looks awesome; the fight appears brutal."

As is the case with every fine artiste, Sudeepa was able to draw parallels between Khan's on and off-screen personas. For him, his ability to deliver his act successfully came from the realisation that he wasn't dealing with Chulbul Pandey, but in fact, Khan himself. To play Balli, he says he simply, "copied Salman".

"Whenever a villain has 'performed' too much in front of Salman, he has failed, because, you need not act too much before him. A viewer buys a ticket for Dabangg to see Salman Khan. Salman's character Chulbul [comes second]. So, you need to deal with Salman's attitude, and swag, and give him a taste of his own medicine. Salman has a certain aura, and if you want to deal with that on screen, you have to become as big as he is. He's a tiger, so the villain has to be an elephant. That's why he came up with the line: 'Jab villain bada ho, toh peetne me mazaa aur zyada aata hai.' It takes a lot to tackle Salman when he's in front of you, and looking at you. Since I noticed him so much, I'd say Balli is a mix of Salman and my personalities."

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; September 22, 2019)

Salman Khan has been filming his upcoming movie, Dabangg 3, for a couple of months and we hear that the climax sequence was completed last week in Mumbai. For the scene, the makers recreated a stone quarry at a hilltop in Kandivali. Filmed on the superstar and Kiccha Sudeep, who plays the antagonist, the sequence had over 300 junior artistes and a crew of 1,000 people involved in it.     

Says a source, “One thousand people worked for over two weeks to construct an artificial stone quarry, which was almost as huge as a real one. They shot high-octane actions sequences with a team of experts and advanced equipment under the direction of Prabhudheva. The stone quarry has a lot of significance in the story and the audiences will come to know why so much efforts have gone behind creating it.”

Incidentally, the climax scene was shot over multiple schedules and the final scene will show Salman and Sudeep fighting shirtless. The Bharat star has worked hard on his training and physique for Dabangg 3 compared to any of his recent films, the source tells us.

To be this year’s Christmas release, the film will see Salman reprising the role of Chulbul Pandey, while Sonakshi Sinha returns as Rajjo. Mahesh Manjrekar’s daughter Saiee makes her debut with the movie.

Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 19, 2019)

Before the audiences reunite with their favourite cop Chulbul Pandey at cinemas this December, Salman Khan is ensuring that Dabangg 3 generates sufficient buzz. Come October, the superstar will tease his fans with glimpses into the world of the Robin Hood-styled cop. mid-day has learnt that the teaser of Dabangg 3 will be attached to Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff's actioner War, with the trailer being unveiled with this year's Diwali release, Housefull 4.

A trade source says, "Salman and producer Arbaaz Khan have planned a double treat for the superstar's fans. A 90-second teaser will be attached with War, hours after it is unveiled on social media on October 1. Akshay Kumar's Housefull 4, which hits screens on October 25, will carry the three-minute trailer. Salman personally chose these movies, knowing that fans will flock to the theatres to catch up on the holiday releases, and it will, in turn, ensure maximum eyeballs for his actioner."

While the first promo is expected to showcase the two avatars of Chulbul Pandey — one in present-day, and the other, as the 20-something before he turns into an unconventional messiah for the oppressed — it won't feature the film's antagonist Kichcha Sudeep. "The Kannada star, as well as Mahesh Manjrekar's daughter Saiee, will be introduced in the trailer."

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; September 9, 2019)

While a major portion of the climax of Dabangg 3 was already shot in May, we hear that a few sequences between Salman Khan and Kiccha Sudeep, who plays the antagonist, are pending. They will be shot in Mumbai next week.

In May, Sudeep tweeted that there will be a shirtless fight sequence between him and the Sultan superstar. Now, we have learnt that it will be a long scene. Dabangg Khan had prepped for over six months for one part of the climax sequence, which will be shot this month. He wanted to be in his best shape for it. The scene requires a lot of hand-to-hand combat and the superstar has been training for the same.

A source says, “There’s a gap of seven years between Dabangg’s last instalment and the upcoming one, which releases this year. Some sequences required Salman to look younger, and the shirtless climax scene will bring him in his heroic avatar. He understands the expectations from his fans and ever since the film’s shoot started, he has started working on his physique and added multiple tough exercises in his routine.”

SK has incorporated heavy weight lifting, running, swimming and cycling in his daily routine along with a little change in his diet during the months of May and June when the main portion of the climax scene was filmed. “There were days when he used to do his weight lifting sessions in the morning and then ride his cycle to Film City, as a part of his extended exercise, where he was shooting,” adds the source.

The upcoming sequences require Salman to be supple as there will be some freehand fight combat scenes. “He had to be flexible enough to carry on with the stunts, for which he added stretching and rope skipping activities in his exercise routine,” says the insider.

Dabangg 3 antagonist Sudeep recounts how Salman Khan went from 'slightly overweight' to 'fit' for the climax that sees him shirtless
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 26, 2019)

The anticipation around Dabangg 3 continues to build as the cop drama enters its last schedule. While fans are eagerly waiting to see Salman Khan reprise his role of Chulbul Pandey, the third edition also promises a worthy villain in Kannada actor Sudeep. Excited as he is to be part of one of Bollywood's biggest potboilers, the South sensation promises that the climax — which sees him lock horns with Khan — will be the highlight of the Prabhudheva-directed film.

"It is a showdown where both of us are seen bare-chested," says Sudeep, before adding that Khan hit the gym with a vengeance to do justice to the action sequence. "When we started shooting the movie, he was slightly overweight; it was because of his other commitments. He was aware that [he wasn't as fit as he would like to be]. So, he hit the gym, and within a month, he had a ripped body. At this age, his determination is unbelievable. It made me hit the gym every day as I didn't want to look like a joker in front of him," he laughs.

It isn't easy to match Khan on screen, more so in a franchise like Dabangg that has become his home turf. The Kannada star acknowledges that he had his fair share of apprehensions when the makers approached him for the project. "Salman is one of the biggest stars. So, you need someone with an equally strong personality to face him. I wondered why they had approached me. But when they explained the concept, I was convinced. Salman is full of life and treats me like family."

Before the Christmas release, Sudeep has another biggie in Pehlwaan. The drama, which has him essay the role of a boxer, has tested his physical prowess. "Shooting for the boxing and kushti sequences was tough. There were days when I would go back in my vanity van and cry as I was in immense pain."

South star Sudeep and Suniel push Pailwaan music launch to lend helping hand to Karnataka flood victims
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 10, 2019)

Work was on in full swing for the grand music launch of Pailwaan, the multi-lingual action drama featuring South superstar Kichcha Sudeep and Suniel Shetty. The event - that was scheduled for August 10 - was envisioned as a grand one, with a majestic set built at Chitradurga in Karnataka and an expected audience of over 1.5 lakh fans. However, on Thursday, the superstar announced that he was postponing the event in the aftermath of the Karnataka floods. The team has instead decided to offer financial and medical aid to the flood victims in the state.

Producer-director S Krishna tells mid-day, "Sudeep sir took the initiative, and after consulting everybody in the team, we decided to postpone it. A lot of money was spent [on the set], but when half the state is shattered because of heavy rains and floods, it is not the time to celebrate."

Sudeep and Shetty are now leading from the front in putting a relief team in place for those affected by the floods. "Sudeep sir and our production house are in talks with a team of doctors who will be sent to the [worst-hit areas] and take care of the patients. The expenses of the necessary treatment and medicines will be borne by the production house. For now, we are contributing by way of sending relief items such as food and clothing. We are also working with Sudeep sir’s fans clubs and sending their contributions to those in need."

MUMBAI MIRROR (May 15, 2019)

While the Dabangg 3 team shot for the climax on Tuesday at a Dahisar studio in Mumbai, Kannada actor Sudeep who plays the antagonist to Salman Khan’s Chulbul Pandey revealed that the duo has bared their chests for the finale.

“Climax shoot for Dabangg 3 has been very hectic, yet a great experience,” Sudeep informed, adding that a massive set was erected for the climax shoot. “Bare-body fight against Salman Khan is the least I had ever thought of doing, ever. Yeah, I do carry a little confidence today and I’m enjoying it,” he added.

This is the actor’s first Hindi film in nine years after the Ram Gopal Varma-directed Rakht Charitra. He joined the Dabangg 3 team during the Mumbai schedule earlier this month.

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 25, 2019)

As Mirror had earlier reported (April 19), Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha started filming the second schedule of Dabangg 3 at Filmcity in Goregaon. The film had kicked off in the temple town of Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh on April 1 with the title song, “Main Hoon Dabangg” featuring Chulbul Pandey.

Now, we have learnt that the team has erected three sets at the Mumbai studio—a temple, a house and a lake—and the cast is shooting on all locations simultaneously. Soon after, they move to a Dahisar studio for confrontation and action scenes. According to a source, Kannada actor Sudeep, who plays Chulbul’s nemesis, will join the team in early May. “He plays a goon in the film and will be seen in an intense, larger-than-life face-off with the hero. In this film, the villain’s track is more of a parallel lead,” the source added.

After wrapping up the Dahisar schedule, Salman will take a break to promote his Eid 2019 release, the Ali Abbas Zafar directorial, Bharat. “In Salman’s absence, Prabhudheva (director) will shoot Sudeep’s solo portions in the city. Since he is a big star down South, the plan is to present him in a certain way. He will also have a grand introduction,” the source revealed, adding that shooting is being fast-tracked so the film, which is written by Dilip Shukla, can release in December. In the cop-drama, Sudeep and Salman are seen in a cat-and-mouse chase. “The film is set in the past and present and Sudeep’s character is involved in both. This time, it’s the antagonist who is the catalyst in the story,” the source stated. Producer Arbaaz Khan, who plays Chulbul’s brother, Makkhi in the film, will be seen wearing the khakhee vardi for the first time in the franchise.

MEANWHILE...UPPING THE ACTION ANTE

The Dabangg franchise which is returning with a new director and new positioning—formerly known as a cop-dramedy series, its third instalment will be decidedly high on action—has entrusted Ram-Laxman to choreograph hi-octane sequences. The renowned stunt director-duo has previously worked with A-listers down South, including Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, Jr NTR, Vijay and Ram Charan. In the recent years, they have expanded their portfolio with Bollywood action-thriller Baaghi 2 featuring Tiger Shroff and are also associated with Rajinikanth’s cop outing in AR Murgadoss’s next directorial, Darbar. Additionally, the duo has worked on two of the biggest upcoming releases in Telugu—Mahesh Babu’s Maharishi and Chiranjeevi’s Sye Raa Narsimha Reddy (which also features Amitabh Bachchan). Incidentally, they have also worked on Sudeep’s next Kannada release, Pailwan, in which the actor plays a wrestler.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 19, 2019)

After completing the first schedule in the temple town of Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh over 13 days earlier this month, the Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and Kannada actor Sudeep-starrer Dabangg 3 has arrived in Mumbai. In its second schedule, a major part of the Prabhudheva directorial will be shot at Film City in Goregaon, where a house, among other sets, has been created.

A source from the film’s team informs, “On the first day, Salman will shoot for an outdoor action sequence in Malad. Sudeep, who plays the villain, will be joining in later in the Mumbai schedule. After the two-month schedule, the team will be heading to Wai, where the songs will also be filmed. But that will happen only after the monsoons.”

The team had also conducted a recce in Jaipur recently where a song was being planned, but a final call on that sequence is yet to be taken for the Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan and Nikhil Dwivedi production.

Meanwhile, Mahie Gill who played Nirmala, wife of Arbaaz’s Makkhi in the first two instalments, will not be a part of the third film. The actress confirmed the news, saying, “I haven’t been approached, maybe there is nothing for me to do in the story this time.”

Dabangg 3 follows a non-linear narrative, where flashbacks show the metamorphosis of Chulbul Pandey from a local goon with a heart of gold to Robinhood cop.

Salman Khan kicked off third Dabangg film on Monday with the title song and 500 back-up dancers in Maheshwar; will be seen shuttling between two characters, local goon who turns into Robinhood cop
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 2, 2019)

Mirror (March 25) had earlier reported that the third installment of Dabangg which went on the floors on Monday in Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh will be a cat-and-mouse game between Salman Khan and Kannada actor, Sudeep, who plays the antagonist. Now, we have learnt that for the first 13 days of the schedule the team will be based at Ahilya Fort where they are currently filming the title song, featuring Salman’s Chulbul Pandey in a larger-thanlife avatar and 500 back-up dancers. “This will be followed by an action sequence on bikes involving Chulbul and his brother, Makkhi (played by actor-producer Arbaaz Khan). It will end with a week-long shoot in Mandeshwar,” informs a source close to the development.

Directed by Prabhudheva, this time the cop caper is set in two different eras and will have Salman in two different looks shuttling between the past and the present. “In his back story, which is a kind of prequel, Chulbul will be shown as a local goon with a heart of gold and a lengthy flashback will cover his metamorphosis into a Robin Hood cop. The conflict in the present with Sudeep is connected to his past before Chulbul got into uniform,” adds the source, saying that despite being an actionthriller, the film will have plenty of drama and humour. “Everything that the brand is synonymous with has been retained and adapted keeping modern-day sensibilities in mind.”

Salman shared his excitement with a video on Twitter, minutes after Arbaaz and he touched down in Indore where they were born and where their grandfather worked during his tenure with the police force. The franchise took off in 2010 with Abhinav Kashyap at the helm and brought cop films back in vogue. The sequel, directed by Arbaaz, was equally successful. Prabhudheva who has picked up the baton this time around, had last directed Salman in 2009 in Wanted. While Sonkashi Sinha returns as Rajjo, Part 3 will have another actress in pivotal role who is a part of Chulbul’s past and has an integral role in carrying forward Dilip Shukla’s story. Music is by Sajid-Wajid. The film also features Rajesh Sharma in a pivotal role and Nawab Shah as the baddie alongside Sudeep.

“After the MP schedule, the team moves to Wai in Maharashtra for a marathon 80-day schedule. The plan is to release it in December, around Christmas. 

Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 25, 2019)

Mirror had earlier reported that Salman Khan’s Dabangg 3 will kick off in April in Madhya Pradesh. Now, we have learnt that Dilip Shukla has been working on the script and screenplay for almost a year and the makers are hoping to lock the dialogue draft soon. “Unlike the last two films, this one is more contemporary, as Salman’s Chulbul Pandey engages in a cat-and-mouse game with his antagonist, Kannada actor Sudeep, whose character is almost like a parallel lead with extreme dark shades,” informs a source.

Composer duo Sajid-Wajid who have worked in other Salman-starrers like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Partner, and Ek Tha Tiger, were on a sabbatical for four years to set up their own music studio. Now, they are making a comeback with the Arbaaz Khan production. “The Dabangg brand has been synonymous with songs that have a long shelf-life. Four songs have been finalised following several sittings with Salman. This album will ride on five to six original songs,” informs the source.

The title song will soon be recorded with a popular singer. Like always, it introduces Chulbul in the film and is among the last songs written by the late Jalees Sherwani who had earlier penned “Hud Hud Dabangg” and “Dabangg Reloaded” from Part 1 and 2. “Salman has spoken to his composers and wants this to be a tribute to Jalees saab who passed away on August 1,” the source said.

When quizzed on whether it will have a “Munni Badnaam Hui” or a “Fevicol” the source pointed out that the story-telling is different this time so there may not be a song on these lines. “But there is a big surprise in store,” the source promised.

The Prabhudeva directorial will be shot over a period of four months from April to August. After the Madhya Pradesh schedule, Salman, Sonakshi Sinha who returns as Rajjo and the team will head to Wai for a marathon shoot. The plan is to release the film in December.

Kannada actor to play baddie in third installment of Dabangg franchise
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 18, 2019)

Mirror (January 10) had earlier reported that Salman Khan is returning as Inspector Chulbul Pandey in the third installment of the Dabangg Franchise which kicks off in April. We have now learnt that Kannada actor Sudeep will play the baddie in the cop-drama. “Sudeep and Salman have been planning to team up on a film since a long time and things have finally fallen in place. The two will engage in Tom and Jerry kind of skirmishes in Dabangg 3. Sudeep’s character has shades of grey,” informs a source close to the development, adding that the film will be shot over 90-100 days.

The source adds that the film’s director, Prabhu Dheva, recently narrated the basic premise to Sudeep, who has verbally given his nod to the film pending contractual formalities. Buzz is, the film will have two baddies and the second could be Telugu actor Jagapathi Babu who will be seen alongside Ajay Devgn in Tanhaji. “That’s not true,” the source says shortly.

A few days ago, Salman took to Twitter to launch the teaser of Sudeep’s upcoming film, Pailwaan. Professional commitments aside, the two have often been spotted bonding over films, body building and sports.

The Dabangg franchise took off in 2010 with Abhinav Kashyap as the director, and brought cop films back in vogue. The sequel, directed by Arbaaz Khan, was equally successful.

Meanwhile, after unveiling its title on Independence Day 2018, Salman and director Ali Abbas Zafar will launch the teaser trailer of their Eid 2019 release, Bharat, on Republic Day. A 1-minute-28-second video will introduce Salman’s character, who ages from 20 to 70, as the film chronicles the journey of a man and nation together. The last schedule is currently going on at Film City in Mumbai, where the makers have recreated Delhi of the’60s. The shoot wraps up by mid-February. 

Kavya Christopher (BOMBAY TIMES; September 14, 2015)