The dancing saga to become grander

The sequel to ‘ABCD — AnyBody Can Dance’, is all set to go on floors in the US and the grapevine says that Prabhu Deva will feature in this as well.

Choreographer turned-director Remo D’Souza, who took the box office by storm with the original film, is now preparing to make its sequel on a grand scale. Although the first part was made on a shoestring budget and filmed entirely in India, the upcoming movie will be shot abroad. Remo says, “With the sequel, I want to create an even bigger wave and I am heading to Disney Studios in Los Angeles to start the work on that.”

It is yet to be decided whether the sequel will feature the entire cast from ‘ABCD’ — which comprised winners of dance reality shows. However, Prabhu Deva will make a comeback as the lead character. The producers, Disney-UTV, are equally excited about the sequel. “We are looking forward to making a bigger film. We want to take the story to the next level on international shores. Remo has a fabulous idea and we’re hoping to make a film that will have a beautiful story at its core. He has already started working on it,” says Rucha Pathak, senior creative director, studios, Disney-UTV.

 ‘I had a great time doing the film’

Satyagraha, which stars Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgan, Manoj Bajpai, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Arjun Rampal and Amrita Rao, is all set to hit the big screen in August.

The cast of the Prakash Jha film is predictably excited about the film, which depicts the people’s reaction to the sorry state of affairs and show their angst and disappointment with the system. The characters that have been etched out for them are spectacular ones. While Amitabh Bachchan plays the role of a man who is a firm believer in the truth — something like a new-age Gandhi — Manoj Bajpai plays a young politician who uses every means available to him to break the system. “A revolution or a movement happens in every part of the world when people are disappointed with the state of affairs in their country,” Manoj says.

Amitabh adds, “It (Satyagraha) was started in Ireland several years ago. I believe the truth always prevails.” Ajay Devgan’s character, which some say is modelled on Arvind Kejriwal, is that of a successful entrepreneur who represents shining India. His rumoured love interest in the film is Kareena, who will be seen essaying the role of a firebrand television reporter.

 Commenting on the film, the actress says, “I am sure Satyagraha will influence the youth. I had a great time doing the film.”

Meanwhile, Amrita Rao, who plays Amitabh’s character’s daughter-in-law in the film, has her own take on the crux of Satyagraha.

“Those residing in India deserve a better standard of living. I think Satyagraha is the ideal way for the common man to show his angst and disappointment,” she says.

The film’s promo suggests that Satyagraha is inspired by the 2011 Anna Hazare movement. But Prakash Jha, the director of the film, insists that the movie has nothing to do with Hazare and is instead about a father-son relationship.

For the maximum visibility

The makers of the Hrithik Roshan starrer Krrish 3 are planning to release the trailer of the film with Rohit Shetty’s ‘Chennai Express’. The film, which stars Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, is all set to hit screens on August 8. Producer-director Rakesh Roshan feels that releasing the trailer of Krrish 3 during the release of ‘Chennai Express’ will attract more eyeballs. “Launching the trailer with a big film guarantees many eyeballs. I am going to talk to Shah Rukh or UTV about the same,” Rakesh Roshan says in a statement. Krrish 3 stars Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Vivek Oberoi and Kangana Ranaut in lead roles. The film, a sequel to Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish, is set to hit the silver screen this Deepavali.

Looking for a leading lady

Film-maker Abhishek Kapoor, who is all set to shoot his next film with actor Sushant Singh Rajput, says that he has still not finalised the leading lady of the project.

As per earlier reports, Katrina Kaif was supposed to play the lead in the film opposite Sushant, who plays the protagonist. However, it seems that these reports aren’t to be believed.
“It’s a sensitive love story and we are still in the scripting stage. Sushant is playing the lead and nothing else has been finalised,” Abhishek clarifies.

The film is an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic ‘Great Expectations’ and Sushant’s second movie with the director after the hit Kai Po Che!.

The movie is being produced by Ekta Kapoor and is expected to go on floors by October this year.