Have you heard? It’s all about the role

Sara Ali Khan, Vicky Kaushal and Samantha

It's all about the role

After the big success of Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), Vicky Kaushal and director Aditya Dhar's second collaboration, The Immortal Ashwatthama, has been making news since its announcement. While Samantha has reportedly been brought on board opposite Vicky, we're now learning why Sara Ali Khan, the first choice for the mytho-thriller-drama, opted out. When the film was being planned, Sara was to play leading lady (Sara to be cast opposite Vicky in The Immortal Ashwatthama, November 27, 2020). However, after the budget was reworked and the screenplay rewritten, it not only impacted the shooting schedules, but also the character of the female lead. After reviving the magnum opus with a slashed budget, the makers felt that the re-imagined character demanded an older actor instead of Sara. Things fell in place as she had also allotted her dates to other projects. While Aditya is said to begin filming early next year, producers have reportedly spent quite a few crores on pre-production.

Also Read: 'Ram Setu' movie review: Great subject, marred by execution

Bollywood calling?

Yash has become a much sought-after actor since the mammoth success of KGF: Chapter 2. Rumours are rife that he has been offered the role of Dev in Brahmastra 2. If that's not enough, Yash has also been approached to play the titular role in Rakesh Omprakash Mehra's magnum opus, Karna. Interestingly, Farhan Akhtar's company, which backed the Hindi version of KGF, is also producing the two-part film based on the Mahabharata warrior.

Gym barabar gym

Though they were not known to be buddies earlier, Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif have come to share a friendly equation over the last few years. Interestingly, the two go to the same gym currently. The other day, Deepika shared a clip of Kat doing aerial yoga, saying, "Me working really hard in the gym! Meanwhile, Katrina is up to no good." While Varun Dhawan laughed it off, their trainer Yasmin Karachiwala joked, "I guess I'll just retire since you and KK have taken over my gym." Ishaan Khatter, who will be seen with Kat in the upcoming horror comedy, Phone Bhoot, replied, saying, "The mummy returns." Funny that!

Also Read: Box Office: Ram Setu and Thank God see a dip in collection on day 2

Sona, Vaani to team up

Even as Sonakshi Sinha gears up for the release of Double XL with Huma Qureshi, she has reportedly signed a new film. This time around, she will team up with Vaani Kapoor for director Ashim Ahluwalia's next. The subject of the National Award-winning filmmaker's yet-untitled movie is being kept under wraps for now. Casting is almost finalised and Ashim, who previously made John and Jane (2005), and Miss Lovely (2012), is slated to start filming early next year.

In iconic company

Ranveer Singh will soon join the company of Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan. The 19th Marrakech International Film Festival, scheduled to be held from November 11 to 19, will pay a tribute to the Jayeshbhai Jordaar actor, and honour him with Étoile d'Or. Besides Ranveer, Scottish actor Tilda Swinton, US filmmaker James Gray, and Moroccan film pioneer and director Farida Benlyazid will also be honoured with the festival's Étoile d'Or. Thrilled with the news, the Padmaavat actor said, "I'm extremely grateful for this distinctive recognition and the prestige bestowed upon me by the festival." He added, "The notion that my craft has resonated in Africa is hugely gratifying. I cannot wait to be in Marrakesh to soak in the love of the people and express my gratitude to them."

Clean chit for Wikki-Mayan

Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan are relieved to get a clean chit from the Tamil Nadu government in the surrogacy row. The duo had got into controversy after sharing news about becoming parents to twin boys earlier this month. The state's health ministry had set up a panel to check if Nayan and Wikki, who tied the knot in June, had broken the surrogacy laws. After the couple filed an affidavit stating all details, the state's committee reportedly found that the embryo in question was formed last August, but before the ban on commercial surrogacy came into effect from January 2022. Tamil Nadu's Ministry of Health stated that they had not violated the country's surrogacy laws.

Spilling the beans

During a promotional interview for Mili, Janhvi Kapoor was asked to name three people she would like to see at her swayamvar. She first named Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor and Tiger Shroff. Since Ranbir is married to Alia Bhatt, Janhvi, after doing a re-think, named Tiger Shroff as her pick.

However, when prompted with the name of Vijay Deverakonda, she reportedly quipped, "He is practically married," and burst out laughing. The Liger actor, who remains non-committal about his relationship status, made news for his holiday in the Maldives with Rashmika Mandanna a few weeks ago.

The date is set

About six months since the runaway success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Kartik Aaryan's next has apparently locked its release date. We're not talking about Shehzada, which arrives in cinemas next February, but Freddy, which premieres directly on OTT. Shashanka Ghosh's directorial venture, which also stars Alaya F as Kartik's leading lady, will begin streaming on December 2. The romantic thriller with plenty of twists and turns has been in the news when the producers were contemplating between releasing it in theatres or directly on a streaming giant. Counting himself lucky to have bagged Freddy, Kartik reportedly said, "I haven't explored this kind of story before and the film has given me an opportunity to experiment with my craft and venture into a new territory."