Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 28, 2020)

Have you ever yearned to find out what went behind the making of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, or maybe, taking a sneak-peek at the history of classics such as Silsila or Chandni? We have exclusively learnt that all this will soon be possible, thanks to Bollywood’s first-ever museum. Apparently, as a part of the 50th year celebrations of his family banner, filmmaker Aditya Chopra is planning to unveil the plans of a museum dedicated to all the projects made under the banner.

“Yes, that’s true. If everything goes as per plans, there will be a museum at the earliest, in the name of Adi’s family banner. The whole concept is a part of the 50th year celebrations [of the production house], which will take off on the 88th birth anniversary of Yash ji [Chopra’s father, late filmmaker Yash Chopra] next month. People will have access to experience the legacy of so many classics/hits made by the family banner. In fact, it’s been Adi’s long-cherished dream to have such a museum,” says an industry insider.

It’s believed that in terms of “sheer grandness and appeal”, the museum could be “compared to something like the Fox Lot in Los Angeles.” For the uninitiated, at the LA studios, the museum houses several things such as costumes, rare posters, memorabilia, pictures, videos and the entire history [of films]. “Yash ji’s films, and the entire banner, has had a rich history of coming up with some of the most iconic Hindi movies. The museum aims to help fans relive those special moments and nostalgia that they have lived with over the years,” adds the insider.

While the announcement is likely to be made as a part of the 50th year celebrations of Chopras’ banner, insiders feel building “something as ambitious as a museum will take some time.” “It will take some time before work [on the museum] begins. No one knows but it may take up to a couple of years as well. But Adi and his entire team is kicked about going ahead with it at the earliest,” says the insider. The spokesperson of Chopra’s production house remained unavailable for a comment.

Amid buzz that third instalment of Salman Khan-led Tiger franchise will be announced on Yash Chopra's birth anniversary, Aditya Chopra ropes in Maneesh Sharma to helm actioner
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; August 5, 2020)

Away from the arc lights and the hullabaloo, the creative team of Yash Raj Films (YRF) is quietly working on the third instalment of their tentpole venture — the Tiger franchise, headlined by Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. Though reports suggested that Kabir Khan, the man who had originally envisioned the universe of the spy thriller, will return to helm the third outing, the director dismisses the rumours. "If I had to do Tiger 3, wouldn't I have directed Tiger Zinda Hai [2017]? Sequels can be bigger and better, but as a storyteller, I don't get excited by them," says Kabir, who instead is channelling his energy into "cracking two ideas" for his future projects.

Even as names of several filmmakers are being tossed around, mid-day has learnt that YRF head honcho Aditya Chopra has handed over the directorial baton to the prolific Maneesh Sharma, who has hardly explored action. A trade source reveals, "Adi sir wants a new director for every edition so that it has a distinct voice. The producer has finalised Maneesh as he believes he will bring a new dimension to the actioner. Adi sir and Jaideep Sahni have developed the story and screenplay. It is expected to be Salman Khan's biggest film in terms of scale, and will be shot across various countries."

With the production house completing its golden jubilee this year, it is set to announce some of its most ambitious ventures — including Tiger 3 — under the YRF 50 project. "The film is likely to be announced on Yash Chopra's birth anniversary on September 27. The plan may be altered depending on how the crisis plays out in the coming weeks."

Sources say Shah Rukh Khan defers Rajkumar Hirani's film after they are unable to procure permission to shoot in North America; will kick off Siddharth Anand's actioner
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 23, 2020)

Shah Rukh Khan had his heart set on ending his two-year sabbatical with Rajkumar Hirani's social comedy about immigration. It was heard that a chunk of the film was to be shot in Canada. However, with the Coronavirus pandemic playing havoc with his best-laid plans, mid-day has learnt that Khan may bounce back into action with Siddharth Anand's project.

A source reveals, "Given the current global crisis, Hirani's team could not procure the permission to shoot in Canada. So, the director will have to kick off the shoot at a later date. In the meantime, Shah Rukh is considering returning to the big screen with Siddharth's action-drama. After the raging success of War, Yash Raj Films is keen that he helm another tentpole movie. The film will be announced on Yash Chopra's birth anniversary, September 27, and the superstar is expected to begin shooting in October tentatively." Rumours are rife that the actor will reunite with Deepika Padukone for the movie.

mid-day reached out to Hirani and Yash Raj Films. Both didn't respond till press time.

The film goes on the floors on September 27, Yash Chopra’s birthday, and will be shot in Delhi and UK
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 1, 2019)

Himesh Reshammiya is all set to return as an actor in a film titled Main Jahan Rahoon. Interestingly, the title is borrowed from a song he had composed for the Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif-starrer, Namastey London.

The singer-composer is collaborating with Javed Akhtar, the lyricist of Vipul Shah’s 2007 romantic drama, for the film’s album. Rajesh Sethi, who is making his directorial debut with the film, informs, “All seven romantic tracks by the duo are complete. The female lead and other cast are being finalised. We start shooting from September 27, my guru Yash Chopra’s birthday.”

Speaking about the film, Himesh adds, “Namastey London was a fantastic experience and like the previous film, this one too is a pure love story. Javed saab’s lyrics are magical. It’s taken me a year to compose and record them but I know every song will connect with everyone who has been in love.”

As an actor, this is the first time Himesh is doing a pure love story and he has started his workshops with Rajesh. “I can promise you that in terms of visuals and writing, it will be in the zone of a Yash Chopra film. Rajesh ji has developed a sensitive story based on real incidents. We will shoot in UK and Delhi,” he concludes. 

Ahead of Thugs Of Hindostan trailer launch on Yash Chopra’s birthday, fans to be introduced to Big B, Aamir, Kat, Fatima with a series of first-look posters
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 13, 2018)

One of the biggest films of 2018, Thugs Of Hindostan is gearing up for a Diwali release. Rumours suggest that the trailer of the Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan starrer will be unveiled on September 27 to coincide with the late Yash Chopra’s birth anniversary. Ahead of the trailer launch, mid-day has learnt that Khan and producer Aditya Chopra have decided to introduce the principal cast — including Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh — by releasing a series of separate first-look posters on September 17.

The action adventure sees the four lead actors as robbers rebelling against the British Raj in 19th century India. Considering the looks of the actors have been closely guarded so far, Khan apparently suggested that unveiling their rebellious avatar would be the best way to grab audience’s attention.

Says a trade source, “Big B’s look will be the first one to be released, followed by that of Aamir, Katrina and Fatima. Each poster will describe the character in a few lines. The final poster will see all the four thugs together. Aamir and Adi want to make a splash on the very first day of promotions. While most films kick off their promotional plan with a teaser, the duo felt that revealing the looks of the characters would make the film a talking point among fans. It will set the stage for the trailer launch that will follow 10 days later.”

On the anvil is also Kaif’s solo song, which is touted to be one of the most expensive numbers coming out of Bollywood. “It is titled Suraiyya Meri Jaan and comes at an interesting juncture in the film. Mounted on a grand scale, it is arguably Katrina’s hottest song to date.”

The spokesperson from Yash Raj Films says, “The plans have not been confirmed yet.”