The entertainment industry is abuzz with the latest developments surrounding the much-awaited sequel to the 2005 hit comedy ‘No Entry’. Titled ‘No Entry Mein Entry’, this forthcoming laugh fest is set to witness a grand ensemble as three of Bollywood’s leading ladies—Shraddha Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Manushi Chhillar—are rumored to join the cast as part of the ten heroines lighting up the screen.
According to mid-day’s earlier scoop, seasoned producer Boney Kapoor is already uniting forces with actors Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, and Diljit Dosanjh, each of whom will be seen in double roles, exemplifying a cinematic case of “Single ticket, double entry.” Anees Bazmee will take the director’s reins, hoping to commence filming in December.
Adding an intriguing twist to an already exciting project, the film has long been considered a dream venture for the original ‘No Entry’ team, which included Bollywood heavyweights Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, and Fardeen Khan. In an unexpected turn, the proposed sequel once took the form of Bazmee’s ‘Thank You’ back in 2011. However, envisioned plans for this follow-up did not materialize, and the film ultimately charted its own course with Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, and Suniel Shetty in the lead.
Despite Salman Khan’s earlier enthusiasm for the venture, where he envisioned reprising his role along with Anil Kapoor and Fardeen Khan in a father-and-son dual portrayal, his exit amidst legal complexities redirected the sequel’s fate. With the current casting, it stirs curiosity whether Varun, Arjun, and Diljit’s roles will mimic the father-and-son concept or present a contemporary spin on their doppelganger acts.
Looking beyond the realm of comedy and into the musical corridors of Bollywood, Alia Bhatt is setting the stage to mesmerize as a jazz singer in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next directorial venture, ‘Love & War’. Given her vocal performances in ‘Highway’ and ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’, Bhatt’s foray behind the microphone in her upcoming role kindles considerable excitement. Alongside a cast comprising Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal, the plot, which closely guards its secrets, is known to frame a poignant love triangle amid the echoes of war, offering a nod to the legendary Raj Kapoor’s classic, ‘Sangam’.
Meanwhile, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s discerning eye for talent has fallen on Sonakshi Sinha after her compelling single-take performance in ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, warranting an ovation from the cast and crew. Her intense portrayal, signaling the dramatic end of the recently released song ‘Tilasmi bahein’, has left audiences on tenterhooks, eager to explore the unfolding narrative.
Switching gears to action and comedy, a sequel twelve years in the making is set to continue the story of ‘Son of Sardaar’. Ajay Devgn has enlisted Vijay Kumar Arora to direct ‘Son of Sardaar 2’, aiming for an authentic Punjabi flavor meshed with refreshed storytelling. Devgn, poised to start production after his duties on ‘Singham Again’, ‘Raid 2’, and ‘De De Pyaar De 2’, trusts in Arora’s vision, having collaborated in the early 2000s and more recently on ‘Action Jackson’.
Stirring a different kind of controversy, ‘Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2’, a sequel to the audacious 2010 film, confronts some resistance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), reportedly urging multiple cuts. Produced by Ektaa R Kapoor and directed by Dibakar Banerjee, the production team had pre-empted the scrutiny by advising viewer discretion in the face of its boundary-pushing content. The cinematic outing is scheduled for an April 19th release.
Amidst these theatrical developments, Bhumi Pednekar finds herself in the spotlight for a different accolade as the World Economic Forum (WEF) bestows upon her the title of a Young Global Leader. An advocate for sustainability and climate change, Pednekar’s outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic has not gone unnoticed. With an induction into the YGL Class of 2024, she’s all set to amplify her voice on global platforms.
Bollywood, teeming with projects that promise to enthrall, reflect a spectrum that blends slapstick humor, romantic musicals, high-octane action, stark realism, and inspiring non-fictional narratives—a testament to the industry’s rich and diverse tapestry.
