If everything comes together, this could be one of the best casting coups ever. Shah Rukh Khan is back with a bang after an almost four-year hiatus. He appears to be on a signing frenzy, and his list includes some of today’s top filmmakers. Shah Rukh is presently filming Pathan, which is expected to be one of Aditya Chopra’s most expensive action films.
After signing Bigil director Atlee’s action-thriller, for which pre-production has already begun, it appears that he has given his OK to Rajkumar Hirani’s next, which would reunite him with Kajol once more.
A source tells Free Press Journal, “Hirani’s next is a social comedy about immigration and the journey of a man and his family across two countries — Punjab and Canada — with a strong emotional cord running through it, just like all his other movies. All the four principal actors have performance-oriented roles. There are three actresses in the movie — one plays Shah Rukh’s wife, and two more strong, layered, pivotal characters. While Kajol will play his spouse, apparently Taapsee Pannu has been approached to play a reporter, who covers his story across borders. Vidya Balan is also in talks for the third female character, someone who helps Shah Rukh in his journey. It’s interesting to note that Vidya has always spoken about how she has never been approached for a Shah Rukh movie. Apparently, Hirani was extremely impressed with Vidya’s performance in Sherni, and she fits the role that’s penned for the new movie as well.”
The shoot of the film is expected to commence from April 2022. “The filmmaker is keen to cast Shah Rukh and Kajol for his next. They last worked together in Rohit Shetty’s Dilwale (2015), and the pair has given several blockbusters and has an excellent box office track record. It’s an exciting combination as Hirani and Kajol have never worked together. Plus, Shah Rukh-Kajol jodi is an explosive combination. And, if Taapsee and Vidya too give their nods to the project, it will be a casting coup! Hirani has given a final narration to the actors. But things are still in the nascent stage and a formal announcement will be made only after everything (dates, remuneration, contract) falls in place. The actors have been asked not to reveal anything,” the source adds.
Not just this, Manoj Bajpayee is also on the cast list, along with Boman Irani who will be playing a key role in the film. “Apart from being Hirani’s favourite, he [Boman] is one of the finest actors we have today. His role in the movie is a quirky one, just like some of his previous characters from Hirani’s movies. The music for the movie will be composed by Shantanu Moitra with lyrics by Swanand Kirkire,” the source reveals.
“Hirani then wanted to rewrite the script, which took time. It will be a joint production between Hirani and Shah Rukh’s production house, Red Chillies, with Hirani also directing the film,” the source added.
(Also read: Exclusive: Before Pathan & Tiger 3, these are the cameos made by Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan in each other’s films!)
Although in an interview earlier, Taapsee had denied signing the movie, the source tells a different story. “Taapsee had done Shah Rukh’s home production, Badla. Hirani’s movie has been co-written by Kanika Dhillon and the filmmaker is overseeing the script with Abhijat Joshi. Kanika and Taapsee have a comfortable rapport as the writer has written some strong, complex characters for the actress in movies like Haseen Dillruba and Manmarziyaan, and the one in Hirani’s next is also an exciting one,” the source adds.
