Hindi
SPN to replicate Anil & Arjun Kapoor’s real life relationship in ‘Mubarakan’
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks Productions (SPNP), a division of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), has announced their next film titled Mubarakan. In a casting coup of sorts, SPNP has roped in the real life chacha- bhatija Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor for this film. The duo will replicate the same camaraderie that they share in real life on screen too.
The film also stars Ileana D’Cruz, Athiya Shetty, Amrita Singh amongst others.
Mubarakan is a laugh riot with confusions galore, laughter, love, egos and emotions.
“We are very excited to embark on our journey for Mubarakan. From drama to horror to slice of life cinema and now comedy, we aim to present content that engages, evokes and entertains our audiences. I am certain that Mubarakan will be one of the most anticipated movies of 2017 and we look forward to receiving the same overwhelming support like we have in our previous movies”, said SPNP Dy president and head Sneha Rajani.
This family comedy will be directed by Anees Bazmee and is produced by SPNP and Ashwin Varde and Murad Khetani’s Cine1 Studios. The film has been written by Balli Januja and Rupinder Chahal and is all set to go on the floors by November 2016. It is slated for a 28 July 2017 release.
Bazmee said, “Mubarakan is one of the best scripts I’ve come across in recent times. That’s what attracted me to it primarily. The highlight of the film will be Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor coming together for the first time on screen. The madness of the script along with the fantastic ensemble cast, we are all set to create something that will be unparalleled.”
Bazmee has to its credit an array of movies directed by him like last film Welcome Back, Ready, etc.
Hindi
Jio Studios, Sanjay Dutt team up to revive Khal Nayak
Rights acquired for new version, format under wraps as remake plans take shape.
MUMBAI: The villain is back and this time, he’s rewriting his own script. Jio Studios has partnered with Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aspect Entertainment to revive the 1993 cult classic Khal Nayak, marking a fresh chapter for one of Bollywood’s most iconic anti-hero stories. The original film, directed by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts, was a commercial and cultural milestone, with Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ballu becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable performances.
Dutt, along with Aksha Kamboj, has now acquired the rights from the original creators, bringing on board Jio Studios and its President Jyoti Deshpande to steer the project creatively.
While the exact format whether remake, sequel, prequel, or a completely new narrative remains undisclosed, the collaboration aims to reinterpret the story for contemporary audiences while retaining the essence that made the original a defining film of the 1990s.
The move taps into a broader industry trend of reviving legacy intellectual property, particularly characters with strong recall value. “Khal Nayak” was notable for pushing mainstream Hindi cinema into morally grey territory at a time when heroes were largely one-dimensional, making Ballu’s character a standout.
The project also marks the film production debut of Aspect Entertainment, signalling a push towards more technology-led storytelling frameworks. Meanwhile, Jio Studios continues to expand its slate, having built a library of over 200 films and series, with more than 60 titles collectively winning 500-plus awards.
For Dutt, the revival is as much personal as it is strategic, a return to a role that reshaped his career. For the industry, it is another sign that nostalgia, when paired with scale, remains a powerful box-office proposition.
Because in Bollywood, some villains never fade, they just wait for the perfect comeback.
