The entertainment industry witnessed a momentous event two decades ago with the release of the hit comedy film ‘No Entry,’ a movie that brought together a star-studded ensemble including Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, and Fardeen Khan. It was an adaptation of the Tamil film ‘Charlie Chaplin’ from 2002, and along with the lead stars, it featured appearances by Bipasha Basu, Esha Deol, Lara Dutta, Celina Jaitly, and Boman Irani.
Breaking away from the original cast, the much-anticipated sequel ‘No Entry Mein Entry’ directed by Anees Bazmee has embraced a new trio for its lead roles. As the film industry abuzz with updates on upcoming projects, this particular sequel has caught significant attention with plans to star Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, and Diljit Dosanjh—a move diversifying from the first film’s ensemble.
However, this casting decision has given rise to a personal conflict involving Anil Kapoor and his brother, film producer Boney Kapoor. Boney Kapoor took to an interview with Zoom to express the family tension that erupted from the said casting decision. “Before I could tell my brother Anil about the ‘No Entry’ sequel and the cast involved, he got angry as the news was already leaked. It was unfortunate that it was leaked. I know he wanted to be a part of the ‘No Entry’ sequel, but there was no space,” Boney shared.
His intention was to create something relatable to the current audience preferences. Boney elaborated on this by highlighting the camaraderie between Varun Dhawan and Arjun Kapoor, as well as the substantial following of Diljit Dosanjh. Nonetheless, this development led to unpleasant discord between the Kapoor brothers. Despite the professional reasoning behind the casting, it is apparent that personal relationships were estranged in the process, with Anil Kapoor still not communicating amicably with his brother. The hope remains within the family that the matter will be resolved soon.
In the midst of this sibling strife, Boney Kapoor continues to move forward with his illustrious career in cinema. He recently made an appearance in the romantic comedy ‘Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar,’ sharing the screen with the likes of Ranbir Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, and Dimple Kapadia.
Another ambitious project under Boney’s production is the sports biopic ‘Maidaan,’ featuring Ajay Devgn as the iconic football coach Syed Abdul Rahim, considered to be the father of Indian football. With a prolific cast including Priyamani, Gajraj Rao, and Rudranil Ghosh, the film is expected to be a captivating watch.
The tale of ‘Maidaan’ comes with its share of trials; the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced a demolition of the film set in 2020 as a preventive measure. In a further stroke of ill-fate, Cyclone Tauktae ravaged the rebuilt set in May 2021. Despite these setbacks, the film, graced with a score by the Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman, is geared up for its theatrical release on April 10, 2024.
Such is the dichotomy of the cinematic realm—while films and their creators endeavor to entertain and inspire, they cannot escape the web of real-life drama and emotion, often intensified under the spotlight of fame. The Kapoor brothers’ situation underscores that the world behind the camera can be just as compelling as the stories it projects onto the silver screen. As their professional journey continues to unfold, audiences and admirers hope for a harmonious resolution and the continued success of their creative undertakings.
