Have you heard? Chalo Uttar Pradesh

Dhanush and Aanand L Rai

Currently working with a team of writers on the final draft of the screenplay, the filmmaker will begin prep for the film by early October. Aanand has already locked the schedule and will be shooting extensively in Uttar Pradesh. The romance drama sees Dhanush play an angry young man, Shekhar. While the leading lady is yet to be finalised, Aanand has made plans to wrap up the movie in a three-month start-to-finish schedule for a release around mid-2024. Meanwhile, the south star will complete his second directorial venture - a gangster drama revolving around three brothers - which also stars SJ Suryah and Vishnu Vishal. The actor, who has Captain Miller lined up for release later this year, is also expected to wrap up director Sekhar Kammula's untitled film until then.

Don't spread rumours!

Reports have been rife that Samantha sought financial aid of R25 crore from a Telugu superstar for her myositis treatment. Slamming the reportage, the actor asked the media to be more responsible with the information they give out, as myositis is a condition that many people out there suffer from. "R25 crores to treat Myositis? Someone got you a pretty bad deal. Only spending a fraction of that. And, I don't think I was paid in marbles for all the work I've done in my career. So, I can easily take care of myself (sic)," she wrote.

Original cut wanted

Even as the team of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (RARKPK) is enjoying the response to the family drama, Ranveer Singh is not entirely happy. He has specially requested that director Karan Johar include all the deleted scenes and truncated tracks in its OTT release. Originally three hours and 10 minutes long, RARKPK was cut down to two hours and 48 minutes by editor Nitin Baid for theatres. The introduction of Ranveer's character Rocky was shortened, and the theme song of Alia Bhatt's character Rani and their fight after a sangeet ceremony was left out on the editing table. The wedding song, Kudmayi, was added at the end credits in a box to fit the duration of the movie in theatres. When Ranveer told KJo about the public's demand to see Rani's theme track and the deleted scenes when RARKPK streams online, the filmmaker replied, "We will see." Guess we will have to wait for this one.

Left, right, left

Rumi Khan, previously seen in the television show Alibaba - Dastaan-E-Kabul, is excited about playing a Pakistani officer in Gadar 2: The Katha Continues. Eagerly waiting for the August 11 release of the Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel-starrer, Rumi says, "During my school days, I always wanted to be part of the Border Security Force (BSF). Though acting took over me, I'm able to fulfil that dream as I'm playing an army officer for the first time." Sharing that he relates to his character because he has nurtured the soldier spirit since childhood, he says, "Most of my cousins are in the army. So, that is also why I've always been attracted towards their discipline and lifestyle." The Anil Sharma directorial venture also gave him the opportunity to meet Indian Army officials, including Officer Surender Singh, who "helped me learn and live with the basic aura of army soldiers."