16 April,2021 07:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Uma Ramasubramanian
Ajay Devgn
Ajay Devgn knows a mass entertainer when he sees one. In the two decades since he turned producer with Ajay Devgn Ffilms, he has backed several box-office hits, including Bol Bachchan (2012), Son of Sardaar (2012) and Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior (2020). Now, he is joining forces with Roy Kapur Films to co-produce a comedy titled GOBAR!
Ad filmmaker Sabal Shekhawat has shifted gears to direction with the project, which also sees him on double duty as a co-writer with Sambhit Mishra. The satire, set in the cow belt of India during the '90s, is inspired by true events and revolves around an idiosyncratic veterinarian who chances upon a web of corruption in the local state hospital. The bumbling protagonist then sets out on a brave journey to fight corruption. Excited about his story finding a large canvas, Shekhawat says, "Gobar! will take viewers back to the charm of small-town living. I wrote this story keeping in mind a few true events that unravelled a gamut of issues, at the centre of which is a vet whose love for cows and animals supersedes everything."
Devgn, whose last venture The Big Bull enjoyed a digital premiere, believes this venture deserves a big-screen outing. "The story of GOBAR! is at once unique, relatable, and incredibly funny, as well as gripping and entertaining to the point that I'm confident it will compel people to go to the theatres. We are very clear about the impact we want to make. We want viewers to laugh, relax, perhaps think a little bit and be entertained. The standard that Siddharth observes in content creation and filmmaking makes this collaboration very exciting for us," he says. Though Devgn often headlines his productions, he has taken the back-seat this time around. The hunt for the leading man is underway.
Siddharth Roy Kapur, who has produced films like The Sky is Pink (2019) and Yeh Ballet (2020) in the recent past, says the film's simple message of "the power of the common man" struck a chord with both. Producer Siddharth Roy Kapur shares, "GOBAR! is a story that chronicles the seemingly pointless but ultimately heroic journey of a simple citizen who deals with corruption in a way that will bring on many laughs, much adventure, and ultimately a simple message about the power of the common man. What makes the film entertaining and unique is that it is a situational comedy that sheds light on the inner workings of power. To be collaborating with Ajay, someone I have always respected for his creative choices, and his team at Ajay Devgn Ffilms on bringing this film to life is very exciting."
