Have you heard? Busy times ahead for Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh

Even though Sanjay Leela Bhansali put Baiju Bawra on the backburner due to its high budget, Ranveer Singh's date diary remains as busy. Currently working on Ajay Devgn-starrer Singham Again, the actor is set to wrap up director Rohit Shetty's action drama by April-end. Soon after, he will begin prep for Farhan Akhtar's Don 3. Sources claim Ranveer will participate in workshops to perfect the nuances of the character made iconic by Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s and later by Shah Rukh Khan in the 2000s. The filmmaker, who takes the action thriller on floors this August-September, is looking to complete the shoot by March 2024. Next up for Ranveer is the screen adaptation of Mukesh Khanna's superhero series, Shaktimaan. Apparently, the writers have cracked the script after working on it for three years. Basil Joseph, director of the Malayalam hit, Minnal Murali (2021), has been brought on board to helm the superhero trilogy, which goes into production in the second half of 2025. Ranveer is also in talks with southern directors for a pan-India entertainer.

New dynamics

Karan Wahi is getting nostalgic about reuniting with Jennifer Winget after 14 years since their television show, Dill Mill Gayye. Talking about their courtroom drama series, Raisinghani vs Raisinghani, he says, "This time around, our chemistry has evolved and so have our characters. More than just the romantic tension, the viewers can expect a sense of rivalry, redemption, and relentless passion that will keep them hooked throughout." Karan adds, "It is not just a reunion; it is a reinvention of our on-screen dynamics."

Show and tell

Neha Dhupia has an interesting line-up of guests for her chat show. After Kartik Aaryan, Tiger Shroff and Ananya Panday, we now hear that Rashmika Mandanna will soon shoot an episode of No Filter Neha. The Animal actor will reportedly share her insight on various topics, Hindi and south cinema, besides memorable moments from her professional and personal journey. Unlike the podcast avatar of its predecessors, this time around, the show will be streamed in an audio-video format.

Revisiting history

With the 394th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on February 19, filmmaker Sandeep Singh announced his biopic on the legendary Maratha king. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, Nitin Gadkari unveiled the poster and launched the historical action drama, titled The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Sharing that it has taken him 23 years of struggle to build a position to debut as a director for his first mega budget film, Sandeep said, "There is so much to learn from his life's story. All information about him has been confined to mostly the Maratha region. I want the world to know about his achievements as a king."

Of golden rewards

Bhumi Pednekar, who is basking in the response to her latest offering, Bhakshak, has another reason to celebrate, and a special one at that. Her mother Sumitra Hooda Pednekar gifted her a gold coin. Sharing that her mother is her biggest cheerleader and also her harshest critic, Bhumi says, "While I look forward to her review, she does something incredibly sweet and touching when she loves my acting." Recalling the screening of her debut film, Dum Laga Ke Haisha (2015), the actor says, "After we returned home, she gave me a gold coin. That was her way of saying that she loved my performance. Since that day, I have looked forward to when I would earn a gold coin from her for my work." Calling it the greatest reward for her, Bhumi reveals that Momma Pednekar has given her gold coins for her performances in films like Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Shubh Mangal Saavdhaan (2017), Lust Stories (2018), Saand Ki Aankh (2019), and Badhaai Do (2022). Revealing her mother's emotional reaction to Bhakshak, Bhumi adds, "I have never seen my mom so overwhelmed. We didn't speak at all during our ride back home. I think what she saw touched her deeply."

Mind games

Khushalii Kumar and Shantanu Maheshwari have been signed on for a psychological thriller titled Crossfire. Director Harish Raut promises a riveting fusion of suspense and drama, that he claims will keep cinegoers on the edge of their seats. Khushalii and Shantanu will soon begin workshops before the film goes on floors this October. Thrilled to be a part of this movie, Khushalii says, "The story is captivating, offering a blend of suspense and emotional depth that will resonate with audiences." Drawn to the script from the time he read it, Shantanu adds, "My character has nuances that challenge traditional notions of morality. He navigates a spectrum of emotions and moral dilemmas, challenging traditional notions of right and wrong. These layers offer an exciting opportunity for me to explore as an actor."

Operation, no problem

Anees Bazmee is in recovery mode after undergoing a surgery earlier this week. The director reportedly fractured his leg on the last day of his recce for his next, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. However, this hasn't deterred him from preparing for the horror comedy that kicks off on March 10 with Kartik Aaryan and Vidya Balan. The producers suggested deferring the shoot by a couple of weeks. However, Bazmee apparently insisted that he is raring to go.

Romancing the past?

There has been much interest around Aashiqui 3 ever since filmmaker Anurag Basu and actor Kartik Aaryan announced it last year. Now, word on the street is that for the franchise's third instalment, the makers are planning to revisit Baseraa (1981), which starred Shashi Kapoor, Rakhee and Rekha. Baseraa, based on a Marathi novel by Leela Phansalkar and written by Gulzar, told the story of a middle-aged married couple whose lives turn upside down when the husband's first wife returns home from a mental institution after over a decade. A source close to the development reveals, "The third instalment has been tentatively titled Tu Aashiqui Hai. The team was looking for a narrative with a powerful love story at the core. In Baseraa, they appear to have found a match. The scripting has begun, and the material will be adapted to the current times." The casting for primary characters is underway. The source adds, "Tripti Dimrii is one of the female leads opposite Kartik. The makers are yet to lock the third actor." The director apparently plans to roll the film in the second half of 2024.

Right at the time of going to press, Basu, on his part, for now, however denied the buzz.