The Indian film industry, known for its vibrant and diverse storytelling, often holds tales of movies that never made it to production. One such narrative has recently emerged involving veteran film producer Boney Kapoor. While Mr. Kapoor is embarking on a new journey with the sequel to the comedic caper ‘No Entry,’ he has now divulged intriguing details of an earlier project that was to feature Diljit Dosanjh and Priyanka Chopra—a film titled ‘Sardarni’ that unfortunately never saw the light of day.
Two decades ago, the box office was set ablaze with the laughter ignited by ‘No Entry.’ Fast forward to the present, and there’s a buzz with news of the sequel, ‘No Entry Mein Entry,’ which is poised to entertain audiences anew next year. This venture is especially notable as it aligns Boney Kapoor with actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh for the first time. Yet, what many may not be aware of is that this is not the first occasion their paths were to cross professionally.
Director Anees Bazmee’s upcoming sequel is looking to rejuvenate its lead ensemble with the likes of Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, and Diljit Dosanjh. They are set to step into roles originally portrayed by Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, and Fardeen Khan. Despite the anticipation for this new constellation of talent, there lies a backstory of a missed cinematic opportunity involving Boney Kapoor and Diljit Dosanjh, as the latter was once slated to share the screen with international sensation Priyanka Chopra.
It was during his candid conversation with Connect FM Canada that Boney Kapoor shed light on the past project with Diljit and Priyanka. Kapoor recollects with evident fondness, “He (Diljit) was always a good actor. In fact, a long time back, I had planned a film with him and Priyanka Chopra. It was to be called Sardarni.” The revelation spotlights a collaboration that piqued interest but remained unrealized—especially intriguing when considering that it was the timing of Priyanka Chopra’s blossoming Hollywood career that played a pivotal role in the film’s shelving.
Priyanka Chopra’s journey west with the TV series ‘Quantico’ was cementing her global footprint in the entertainment landscape. Kapoor recounted, “That’s the time Priyanka got this offer of going to Hollywood to shoot for Quantico. So, she asked us to wait for some time.” However, the durability of Hollywood’s lure meant Chopra received an offer for the second season and other subsequent projects which convinced her to prioritize her burgeoning career overseas. And thus, ‘Sardarni,’ unfortunately, had to be dropped from Kapoor’s production slate.
Yet, despite the film’s non-existence, Boney Kapoor holds Diljit in high regard, praising his multifaceted skills: “I’ve seen his Punjabi films and even the Hindi films that he has done. He is a remarkable actor, he has a fantastic sense of comedy, his sense of timing is fantastic, a good singer, and a talented guy. So, it’s always good to have a fresh mix of actors in a film to get freshness.”
Currently, Diljit is busy with the promotions of his newest cinematic venture ‘Amar Singh Chamkila,’ where he steps into the role of Punjab’s iconic and enigmatic figure. The movie explores the life and untimely death of Amar Singh Chamkila, the rebel music maestro who carved his path from poverty to stardom, ultimately facing an untimely assassination at just 27 years old.
While ‘Sardarni’ remains a dream deferred, Diljit Dosanjh’s career continues to thrive and captivate audiences with his diverse roles. Boney Kapoor, on the other hand, still finds solace in the prospect of fresh on-screen combinations, no doubt a philosophy he carries forward as he shapes ‘No Entry Mein Entry’ to win hearts next year. The tantalizing what-ifs of ‘Sardarni’ remind us of the ever-changing tides of entertainment, where each choice and chance shapes the narratives that make their way to our screens.
