Another Date Bites the Dust

After twice shifting from previously announced release dates, Jagga Jasoos is giving up its September release date too. The Ranbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif starrer will more than likely not open in 2016 at all, industry insiders say. The nearly three-years-in-the-making movie has considerable post- production to complete in the months ahead.

Barfi! director Anurag Basu has a reputation for taking his time on every project, but Jagga Jasoos is fast becoming Bollywood’s favourite joke. Co-produced by Ranbir and bankrolled by UTV-Disney, the film has faced every hiccup possible—from actors being replaced, script rewrites, multiple reshoots, and finally the break-up of its lead stars which reportedly led to much awkwardness on the set. For Ranbir, who’s been going through a rough patch the last few years, industrywaalas were hoping Jagga Jasoos could be a shot in the arm, given the terrific work he did with Basu in Barfi. Now the immediate fate of his career lies in Karan Johar’s hands, as his next release will be the Kuch Kuch Hota Hai director’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, in which he reportedly stars as a slacker who falls hard for Anushka Sharma’s character although she’d rather have him as a friend. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan reportedly has a key role, a May-December romance with Ranbir who, incidentally, was an assistant director on the set of his father’s directorial venture Aa Ab Laut Chalen which Aishwarya starred in years ago.

Dawn of a Cold War

Their first Hollywood films haven’t even released yet, and the gossip press has already drawn battle lines between Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra. If the industry grapevine is to be believed, the actresses—once thick friends—made no effort to disguise their contempt for each other during the IIFA Awards in Madrid last weekend.

Eyewitnesses have said cold vibes were exchanged in full view of cameras, and that a planned performance featuring both actresses was mysteriously cancelled. When asked why the ‘jugalbandi’ didn’t happen, Priyanka is reported to have said she was just as clueless about the last-minute development.

According to hacks, the reason for their friendship having gone sour is the fact that both leading ladies are currently pursuing possible careers in Hollywood, and are inevitably vying for the same parts in American movies. Baywatch baddie Priyanka may have the first mover advantage, having already imprinted herself onto the audience’s minds with Quantico, but big plans are reportedly being made to Deepika’s push xXx: The Return of Xander Cage as a potential international blockbuster. Word is that she will welcome co-star Vin Diesel in India later this year to promote the actioner together.

Baby Blooper

There’s been some speculation—followed by incessant denials—about this A-list leading lady possibly being in the family way. Everyone concerned has brushed off the rumours, insisting they’re just that: rumours. But it appears the stories may not be so far from the truth after all.

Well-placed sources in Bollywood tell me that recent hush-hush confirmation of the actress’ pregnancy has completely upset the production schedule of her new movie, which will now likely go on the floors three months before its intended start date. The producers want to wrap up principal photography on the project before her baby bump begins to show, and to that end the crew is said to be in regular touch with the actress’ doctor in order to understand timelines, and to agree on how they may need to hide her pregnancy.

The option to replace the actress in the movie is not one the producers want to entertain, given that she’s the glue that binds their project together. The film is reportedly a multiple character romantic comedy, and her face on the poster is a considerable draw. They pulled off a casting coup of sorts to assemble an eclectic ensemble, and the filmmakers don’t want anything coming in the way of exploiting that on screen—least of all a baby bump!

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Rajeev Masand

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