01 May,2024 07:17 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist Team
Akshay Kumar, Sajid Nadiadwala and Riteish Deshmukh
Over four years since Housefull 4 (2019), Sajid Nadiadwala is gearing up for the fifth instalment of his comedy franchise. Come August, director Tarun Mansukhani will begin filming Housefull 5 (HF5) with Akshay Kumar and Riteish Deshmukh in the UK. The two actors, who have been constant from the first edition in 2010, will be joined by an ensemble cast that is being finalised. We hear that many cast members from the previous instalments are being roped in for this joyride. What makes the upcoming outing interesting is that a considerable chunk of the movie will be shot aboard a cruiseliner. Beginning September, the makers have planned a month-and-a-half-long spell with the entire cast, and Sajid has booked an ocean liner for the marathon schedule. The producer, who has strived to up the ante with every film, is keen to take HF5 a few notches higher in terms of scale and content. The ensemble comedy is slated for a June 2025 release.
ALSO READ
Akshay Kumar talks about an incident in Bangkok on 'Dhawan Karenge'
Sanjay Dutt backs out of Akshay Kumar starrer Welcome to the Jungle
Have you heard? It’s a boy for Yami, Aditya
Akshay Kumar turns up to vote after getting Indian citizenship
Shikhar Dhawan: Akshay Kumar and my friendship goes back five years
In recent weeks, the mega deals over distribution, digital and satellite rights of Pushpa 2: The Rule have been making news even as director Sukumar continues to shoot the Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil-starrer. Recently, the team shot an extensive underwater sequence, which is said to be one of the highlights of the action drama. The movie's Polish cinematographer Miroslaw Brozek piqued netizens' curiosity when he shared a picture from the location on social media. When a user wondered if they were shooting a boat sequence, Brozek replied, "Underwater." While the teaser has fueled anticipation, insiders claim that the trailer will blow the audiences' minds.
Yami Gautam Dhar has dual reasons to celebrate her last release, Article 370. The political thriller produced by filmmaker-husband Aditya Dhar, which completed its 50-day run in theatres, continues to win praise on OTT after it dropped last week. "I am incredibly moved by the overwhelming love and response this important film is receiving from audiences. Their affection not only propelled it to a splendid 50-day run in theatres, but now, their love on OTT feels like a dream come true. I am truly grateful."
Recently, rumours have been rife about Aamir Khan producing nephew Imran Khan's comeback movie, Happy Patel. It was also being said that the actor-filmmaker will have a cameo in the comedy being helmed by Vir Das. However, it turns out that neither is Aamir producing it nor is Imran fronting it. On the contrary, both mama and bhaanja are playing cameos, while Vir essays the titular role. The Khans' equation with Vir goes back a long way, when they teamed up for Delhi Belly (2011).
Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha (AMKDT), Ajay Devgn and Tabu's first film with director Neeraj Pandey, was initially slated to release on April 26. But the romantic thriller was deferred as Ajay had Shaitaan arriving on March 8, followed by Maidaan on April 10. We hear that AMKDT, which also features Jimmy Sheirgill, Saiee Manjrekar and Shantanu Maheswari in pivotal roles, will now open in cinemas on July 5. The team is expected to make an official announcement with the teaser in the coming days. In recent years, Ajay and Tabu have teamed up for multiple films, including De De Pyaar De (2019), Drishyam 2 (2022) and Bholaa (2023).
Talk is that Ranveer Singh and filmmaker Prashanth Varma will team up for a pre-Independence action drama set against a mythological backdrop. The film has been tentatively titled Rakshas in keeping with Ranveer's protagonist with grey shades. The duo reportedly have found a producer in Mythri Movie Makers to back their maiden collaboration. Prashanth has completed the screenplay and pre-visualisaton for the film, and even performed a puja on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti last week in Hyderabad. Rakshas is said to be a part of Prashanth Varma Cinematic Universe and the filmmaker will introduce multiple characters whom he will eventually bring together in the epic finale. Ranveer is also committed to Aditya Dhar's next, and the shooting timelines for both the projects are yet to be finalised.
Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor will begin the shoot of director Shashank Khaitan's Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari in the next couple of weeks. News is that Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf are the latest to join the cast of the romantic comedy, which is backed by Karan Johar. Sanya and Rohit's characters are said to have an interesting dynamic with the protagonists in the narrative. The team will kick-start shooting in Mumbai, followed by a spell in Rajasthan, after which they will head overseas. KJo has blocked the Good Friday window of 2025 for the Varun and Janhvi-starrer that takes off from Dharma's Dulhania franchise - Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) and Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017).
