<p>Filmmaker Hansal Mehta's upcoming "Chhalaang" is a departure from the socio-political films he is known for and the director says he took on the comedy-drama as a challenge to push himself. </p>.<p>Featuring Rajkummar Rao, Nushrratt Bharuccha and Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, "Chhalaang" chronicles the journey of a PT teacher from a semi-government funded school.</p>.<p>Mehta, whose last feature was the 2018 thriller-drama "Omerta", said the joy of making films is to "constantly keep evolving."</p>.<p>"There would have been no challenge for me without 'Chhalaang'. That's the joy of making films. It's tough to make people laugh and that was a test for me. How do I pull off a comedy? I have made many cry, now was the time to make them laugh," Mehta told reporters. </p>.<p>He was speaking at the virtual trailer launch of the film on Saturday. </p>.<p>Mehta said as a filmmaker, one can't afford to be "stagnant."</p>.<p>Crediting his first collaboration with Rao, the 2013 National Award winning drama "Shahid" as the start of his "2.0" version, Mehta said his recent work with the actor is a step ahead. </p>.<p>"'Chhalaang' gave me an opportunity to make a film that's accessible to a larger audience. You have to tell different stories, have to challenge yourself each time when you make a film... 'Chhalaang' is my version 3.0 if you may call it that."</p>.<p>The film is produced by actor Ajay Devgn, filmmaker Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg. It is presented by Bhushan Kumar's T-Series. </p>.<p>"Chhalaang" marks the sixth collaboration between Mehta and Rao, after acclaimed projects like "Shahid", "Citylights" and "Aligarh".</p>.<p>The director said Rao walked into his life and provided his career with the "oxygen."</p>.<p>"He gave my career a lease of life. He is perhaps the moat special talent of the country. This is our sixth collaboration together, which is completely new. It's a step forward in our journey.</p>.<p>"It's a film where Rajkummar doesn't die, doesn't go to prison. It's a film where you'll have tears of joy."</p>.<p>Written by Ranjan, "Chhalaang" is scheduled to release on Amazon Prime Video on November 13.</p>
<p>Filmmaker Hansal Mehta's upcoming "Chhalaang" is a departure from the socio-political films he is known for and the director says he took on the comedy-drama as a challenge to push himself. </p>.<p>Featuring Rajkummar Rao, Nushrratt Bharuccha and Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, "Chhalaang" chronicles the journey of a PT teacher from a semi-government funded school.</p>.<p>Mehta, whose last feature was the 2018 thriller-drama "Omerta", said the joy of making films is to "constantly keep evolving."</p>.<p>"There would have been no challenge for me without 'Chhalaang'. That's the joy of making films. It's tough to make people laugh and that was a test for me. How do I pull off a comedy? I have made many cry, now was the time to make them laugh," Mehta told reporters. </p>.<p>He was speaking at the virtual trailer launch of the film on Saturday. </p>.<p>Mehta said as a filmmaker, one can't afford to be "stagnant."</p>.<p>Crediting his first collaboration with Rao, the 2013 National Award winning drama "Shahid" as the start of his "2.0" version, Mehta said his recent work with the actor is a step ahead. </p>.<p>"'Chhalaang' gave me an opportunity to make a film that's accessible to a larger audience. You have to tell different stories, have to challenge yourself each time when you make a film... 'Chhalaang' is my version 3.0 if you may call it that."</p>.<p>The film is produced by actor Ajay Devgn, filmmaker Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg. It is presented by Bhushan Kumar's T-Series. </p>.<p>"Chhalaang" marks the sixth collaboration between Mehta and Rao, after acclaimed projects like "Shahid", "Citylights" and "Aligarh".</p>.<p>The director said Rao walked into his life and provided his career with the "oxygen."</p>.<p>"He gave my career a lease of life. He is perhaps the moat special talent of the country. This is our sixth collaboration together, which is completely new. It's a step forward in our journey.</p>.<p>"It's a film where Rajkummar doesn't die, doesn't go to prison. It's a film where you'll have tears of joy."</p>.<p>Written by Ranjan, "Chhalaang" is scheduled to release on Amazon Prime Video on November 13.</p>