Hindi
Gowariker not to helm Buddha anymore
MUMBAI: The repercussions of the dismal failure of Khelien Hum Jee Jaan Se is just showing. Ashutosh Gowariker, who was to direct Spice Entertainment’s ambitious film Buddha, will not direct the film anymore.
The producers are scouting for another director now. The film is quite prestigious for the producers as it has been written by Oscar nominee David Ward, who had earlier written Sleepless in Seattle.
It is reported that there have been lot of unresolved creative issues between the writer, producer and the director. Since the producers want to make it as an international film, they were unhappy with the changes Gowariker effected in the script. Hence the makers decided to look for another director.
Talking on any creative differences, Spice head honcho B K Modi says, “Ashutosh hasn‘t been able to find the right actor for the role.” However Modi has no plans to shelve the project. “We are in talks with other directors for Buddha because they may have a different perspective on the film.”
Incidentally, Shekhar Kapur was earlier approached to direct the film. He reportedly started work on it but abandoned it midway when he was directing Elizabeth.
Hindi
ZEE5, Applause announce new film Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa
Rajat Kapoor’s dark comedy thriller to stream on ZEE5 from April 10
MUMBAI: ZEE5 and Applause Entertainment have announced their next direct-to-digital collaboration, Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, a darkly comic whodunnit set to stream from April 10.
Produced in association with Mithya Talkies and written and directed by Rajat Kapoor, the film marks the latest addition to a growing slate of genre-diverse titles from the two partners. Their previous collaborations include dramas, psychological thrillers and dark comedies, with this outing leaning into a layered murder mystery.
The film features an ensemble cast including Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waluscha De Sousa and Saurabh Shukla, among others. The narrative promises a mix of satire, strained relationships and hidden tensions, inviting viewers to look beyond the crime to the dynamics that lead up to it.
ZEE5 business head hindi and chief channel officer Andtv Kaveri Das said, “Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment has been instrumental in building a strong slate with titles such as Bloody Brothers, Mithya and Jab Khuli Kitaab. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa is a natural progression, aligning with our focus on genre-led content that resonates with audiences.”
Applause Entertainment business head movies Sunil Chainani said, “This collaboration with ZEE5 continues to stand out for its diversity of genres and narrative styles. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa adds a sharp, darkly comic whodunnit to that mix, driven by Rajat Kapoor’s distinct voice.”
Sharing his creative approach, Rajat Kapoor said he was drawn to the emotional layers behind the genre. “I was interested not just in the mechanics of a whodunnit, but the emotional violence that precedes physical violence. These are people who appear close, yet carry unspoken tensions that eventually surface.”
The partnership between ZEE5 and Applause continues to build on a shared focus on distinctive storytelling, with each project exploring a different tone and genre.
With its mix of humour, tension and ensemble storytelling, the film aims to offer more than just a mystery. It promises a closer look at the secrets people keep, and the consequences when they finally come to light.
