In a significant development for Bollywood cinephiles, filmmaker Aditya Dhar is all set to helm an action-packed, multi-starred espionage thriller starring Ranveer Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan. This comes as a new venture following the temporary shelving of his magnum opus, ‘The Immortal Ashwatthama,’ initially planned with Vicky Kaushal. Undeterred by the postponement, Dhar remains steadfast in his commitment to delivering exceptional cinematic experiences.
The plot of this upcoming spy thriller centers around Ranveer Singh, who steps into the shoes of an intelligence officer. Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan are confirmed to portray pivotal roles that contribute significantly to accomplishing the narrative’s central mission. This project not only sees Aditya Dhar in the director’s chair but also sharing production responsibilities with his brother, Lokesh Dhar. Preparations are already underway, and the team aims to commence filming by the end of the year, focusing on synchronizing the busy schedules of its star-studded cast.
In other exciting industry news, actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is set to reunite with director Anand Surapur. After the notable success of ‘Rautu Ka Raaz,’ the duo is collaborating once again on a yet-to-be-titled film. This project was conceived after Siddiqui suggested another partnership, captivated by a story Surapur had earlier narrated. Set amidst the mystic landscapes of Uttarakhand, the narrative explores folklore involving fairies and chudails (witches). Nawazuddin has already allocated December dates for shooting, marking a promising addition to his already diverse filmography.
Meanwhile, the Bollywood spy genre is witnessing a refreshing twist with Aditya Chopra’s latest female-led espionage thriller, ‘Alpha.’ This marks a shift from male-dominated films in the genre like the Tiger franchise, ‘War’ (2019), and ‘Pathaan’ (2022). Starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, and directed by Shiv Ravail, ‘Alpha’ recently began production with an initial teaser announcement. In the months leading up to the shoot, Bhatt and Sharvari have been rigorously preparing for the demanding action sequences. Adding to the star power, Anil Kapoor appears as the head of the spy agency, while Bobby Deol takes on the antagonist’s role.
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The flick ‘Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha,’ starring Ajay Devgn and Tabu, has finalized its release date for August 2. Directed by Neeraj Pandey, this romantic musical drama faced earlier delays due to the overwhelming success of Prabhas’ ‘Kalki 2898 AD.’ Ajay Devgn confirmed the new release date through social media, heightening anticipation with a film poster. Nevertheless, the film will not enjoy a solo release as it clashes with Sudhanshu Saria’s ‘Ulajh,’ starring Janhvi Kapoor. Set against the intriguing world of Indian Foreign Services (IFS), ‘Ulajh’ also stars Roshan Mathew, Gulshan Devaiah, and Meiyang Chang.
In the realm of suspense cinema, the much-talked-about thriller ‘Kubera,’ featuring Dhanush and Nagarjuna, has revealed its leading lady—South Indian sensation Rashmika Mandanna. Her character’s first look, released by the filmmakers, sparked considerable interest. The teaser shows Mandanna discovering a large suitcase of cash in a forest, hinting at her significant role. Director Sekhar Kammula commented on the element of surprise Rashmika’s character brings to the film, emphasizing how her performance is expected to leave a lasting impression.
Amid the flurry of new projects, the political thriller ‘The Sabarmati Report’ faces another release deferment. Directed by Ranjan Chandel, the movie centers on two reporters, portrayed by Vikrant Massey and Raashii Khanna, investigating the 2002 Sabarmati Express burning incident at Godhra. Gossip in the industry suggests that Tushar Hiranandani has been brought on to reshoot specific scenes to enhance critical aspects of the narrative. Both lead actors have reportedly agreed to extend their schedules to accommodate these changes, and a new release date will be contemplated post-reshoot.
Iconic superstar Rajinikanth has commenced shooting for ‘Coolie,’ directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. This marks the first collaboration between the two. The announcement was made official via social media, where the production house shared an image of Rajini in his on-screen avatar, captioned, “Superstar-Loki Sambhavam begins,” indicating the start of an action-packed adventure. The film also boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John, and Mahendran. The movie ‘Coolie’ promises action and drama, with its initial title reveal coming back in April, exciting fans worldwide.
With such a variety of films lined up, Bollywood is setting itself up for a dynamic year ahead, promising audiences thrilling experiences across multiple genres.
