Have You Heard? Vidya Balan replaces Priyanka Chopra in Ritesh Batra’s next with Saif Ali Khan

Priyanka Chopra, Saif Ali Khan and Vidya Balan

Who's in? Who's out?

After mid-day reported that Priyanka Chopra was out of Ritesh Batra's upcoming film (Chop-chop exit for Piggy Chops, Oct 21), new reports suggest Saif Ali Khan is set to reunite with Vidya Balan for the yet untitled-project, The film's shoot has begun with Saif in Mumbai. Described as a love story set against a family backdrop, the film marks Saif's collaboration with Batra, whose acclaimed credits include Irrfan Khan's ‘The Lunchbox' (2013).

Their shared filmography
Saif Ali Khan and Vidya Balan starred together in ‘Parineeta' (2005), Vidya's Bollywood debut, and later reunited in ‘Eklavya: The Royal Guard' (2007), Vidhu Vinod Chopra's drama also featuring Amitabh Bachchan

Turning writer for a friend

Sadia Khateeb and Kriti Sanon

Actor Sadia Khateeb , who was last seen in Dadi Ki Shaadi with Neetu Kapoor, is reportedly turning storyteller for Kriti Sanon's next, penning the story for the yet-untitled urban horror film backed by Maddock Films. As mid-day had earlier reported, Kriti has signed the horror project, which promises to showcase her in a new avatar (Ready to haunt, Oct 15). The film is co-produced by Amar Kaushik, the filmmaker behind the Stree franchise.

Fear in the fraternity

Manoj Bajpayee

Manoj Bajpayee has called the firing incident involving Tiger Shroff in Mumbai "an unfortunate incident", adding, "You can't be alert 24 hours." Recalling the underworld violence of the 1990s, he said, "I have seen a few people losing their lives in this very industry." Expressing relief that Tiger and his driver were safe, Manoj stressed the need for criminals to fear the law, and added, "I just hope that, again, the law takes its own course."

Making up for lost time

Ahan Shetty

After making his debut with Tadap (2021), Ahan Shetty returned to the big screen with Border 2, which released earlier, this year, marking a five-year gap. Now, headlining Vikram Bhatt's 1920: Cold Winter, the actor says he wants to prioritise story-driven films. "Obviously, there was a long gap. I won't talk much about it. It's in the past. If I like the story and content, I'll definitely do it," he said at the film's trailer launch.