«
»

Abhishek-Aishwarya for Bhansali’s Gustakhiyan?

LINK

“Without wasting time, SLB has gone to his other favourite, in fact his most favourite actress, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, to play Amrita Pritam to Abhishek Bachchan’s Sahir Ludhianvi. The Sahir-Amrita bio-pic to be directed by debutante Jasmeet Reen will go on the floors early next year.”

This entry was posted on September 6, 2017 at 7:00 AM and is filed under the bad. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

53 Responses to “Abhishek-Aishwarya for Bhansali’s Gustakhiyan?”

  1. Satyam Says:
    September 6, 2017 at 7:02 AM

    With Jha reporting it think it’s more likely a done deal than not. Of course I’ve already expressed my views on this film but to summarize (and though Aishwarya is a vast upgrade over Priyanka) this would be a hard hard film to have succeed at the box office.

    Like

    Reply
    • Satyam Says:
      September 6, 2017 at 7:07 AM

      by the way note how even at this stage and even as there is more of less confirmation of some other films that would be safer Abhishek actually starts out with Dutta and now (if this is true) this Bhansali film. Once again the riskiest stuff. If you now add to this the fact that he’s trying a reinvention with this it’s truly doubling down!

      Like

      Reply
      • IdeaUnique Says:
        September 6, 2017 at 8:18 AM

        but this is a good project for Abhi….he has to deliver now…..wish Sanjay had directed this

        Like

        Reply
        • Satyam Says:
          September 6, 2017 at 8:33 AM

          think this is Bhansali’s baby. It’s been reported in the media more or less this way. But also this subject seems too close to Bhansali for him to simply be a passive producer. So far more of the decisions seems to reflect this. Incidentally he has wanted to work with Abhishek before as well.

          On the rest I am all for prestige projects (not that I’ve ever been a Bhansali fan) but Abhishek doesn’t have that luxury at the moment. If he pulls it off sure! The problem he’s run into is that run of the mill won’t be good enough even if it works (because so many others are doing this too) and in any case he’s always been drawn to the more meaningful project (at least when he had the choice). At the same time pulling off the meaningful project when one’s box office fortunes are at an all time low is also extremely hard. It comes down to judgment. If he’s developed better judgment about scripts over time these decisions might be worthwhile. If it’s only about whether Dutta or Bhansali or whoever are in form this time around versus the last time (of course for Dutta it’s been forever!) then it will be the old trap once more.

          Like

        • IdeaUnique Says:
          September 6, 2017 at 12:15 PM

          I think Bhansali is playing safe here and which is sad….he shd have the courage now to bring out the best in Abhi….so far only Mani Ratnam has had that courage…..Bahansali knows that the Abhi is not a saleable solo-hero at BO and even the pairing with aish may not work as the later also has given BO duds since quite sometime (except for ADHM)….so it was Bhansali’s call all the way…if this tanks…Abhi’s career as a solo-hero will be in serious jeopardy not that he is doing some great solo-hero films (or rather even multi-hero films) at the moment….but for me he is far more likeable on-screen actor/star than Farhaan Akhtar who is doing some zillion solo-hero films with good scripts (but all are failing at the BO)

          Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 6, 2017 at 10:18 AM

          If Bhansali himself was directing, he would have gone for Ranveer Deepika imo. Priyanka/Aishwarya are his second choices.

          Like

      • Z Says:
        September 6, 2017 at 8:21 AM

        On flip side, working with known producer/director brings in instant publicity.

        I think this may work and Bhansali is good for making every frame look good. Hope they add few original songs as is and not have it sung by arjith sing.

        Abhi is doing the right thin, of course it may not work but thing is he will and has gotten lost in the traditional films be it action, romance, comedy, etc…

        So it’s best to carve out a place where you many not be at top but at least you’ll be in business. Kind of like what askhay did.

        Like

        Reply
        • Satyam Says:
          September 6, 2017 at 8:32 AM

          I agree in the sense that if you do run of the mill you can’t set yourself apart. On the other hand if you’re literally on the ropes (or worse) you need quite a play to get back. Even with a star in much better standing consider what happened to Guzaarish. These aren’t the sorts of subjects where you can really make it very safe just on the basis of an initial. I’d also argue that Bhansali is simply too indulgent on this terrain. You need discipline for this sort of subject. Even if everything is done the right way this sort of thing is very risky let alone with these other factors. Now on the one hand I do admire the fact that Abhishek even at this point is not willing to do just anything (certainly not when he’s the main guy in the film) but ‘attitude’ only takes you so far. It’s also about judgment. In any case this phase of films (half a dozen or more, depending on what rumors one believes) is really his last chance at serious reinvention). With Paltan and now this film (assuming nothing else releases before this one.. Paltan will certainly be the first to the post) he needs more than a fair share of luck. Incidentally if Bhansali is smart he won’t score the music himself nor will he have the kind of soundtrack he’s had the last few times. He really needs something more exciting here. Not holding my breath for this though.

          Like

        • Z Says:
          September 6, 2017 at 11:00 AM

          They have to incorporate original Sahirs songs. It would be sinful if they didn’t. Heck, If you have to, copy the whole Kabhi Kabhi soundtrack.

          This movie will be much better then Paltan so if I’m abhi, I give priority to this one.

          And for life of me, I can’t understand why Dutta can’t make what he started with. Go back to Rajhastan and make a film on/in it. Imagine something like Gulami made today, it would set boxoffice on fire (the movie would have to be trimmed by 30 minutes thou). He makes long films so it should be kept to 2.5 hour.

          If I’m Abhi, I would actually look into making offshoot of happy new year with his Nandu character. For all fault people want to find in Farah Khan, she grew up in and around films all her life. She has made good to decent masala films and with great boxoffice return in Main hoon na, om shanti om and happy new year (won’t include teesmar khan, that was more of her husband story). There’s a lot of scope there in Nandu character where you can incorporate Suhaag type of story.

          Like

        • Satyam Says:
          September 6, 2017 at 2:26 PM

          Dutta was never the same after Rajasthan but I think the market dried up for that kind of cinema. However for some years now things have changed. I’ve always felt the Refugee trope (and persona) works for Rajasthan. He could have taken it forward in recent years. His films were just way better in Rajasthan (though in fairness nothing other than Ghulami worked even then), the only other thing I liked as much from him was the first half of Refugee. But Dutta is just the sort of director who will only get occasional success on any sort of terrain!

          Like

        • IdeaUnique Says:
          September 6, 2017 at 10:08 PM

          Refugee was a wonderful film and one of the finest soundtrack with superb songs…..it was very sad to see the film didn’t work at the BO…

          Like

        • jayshah Says:
          September 7, 2017 at 1:21 AM

          Refugee songs are epic. Best romantic soundtrack this side of the century IMO. Don’t know why the film didn’t work.

          Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 7, 2017 at 1:29 AM

          Dont think Regugee was a washout at BO. It was an average fare, and same can be expected from Paltan.

          Like

      • Henry Says:
        September 6, 2017 at 3:22 PM

        I don’t think he is getting a lot of offers….so he does what he gets.

        But I am interested in this one, and really hope Abhishek gets a role here to display his enormous talents.

        I actually really want Abhishek to do films like Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Bareilly ki Barfi – these type of small films can get more exposure with Abhishek and it will also do him a world of good. It could be his small ‘Hrishikesh’ moment.

        Like

        Reply
        • Marcus Says:
          September 7, 2017 at 12:44 AM

          Agree that he is probably picking up the best from what he is getting offered, and probably not too many offers are coming his way at this point.

          He will need some luck to come back from the dumps. With films like Paltan and this one, the odds are going against him.

          Like

  2. Rocky Says:
    September 6, 2017 at 10:40 AM

    This could be either another Umrao Jaan , or another Guru..

    Like

    Reply
  3. An Jo Says:
    September 6, 2017 at 10:49 AM

    Abhishek Bachchan posts some beautiful pictures with amazing stories behind him on Instagram.

    He posted this throwback picture, and tells the story behind it: ‘Taken in the mid 80’s (1985 if memory serves). I call it Big B and the Bachchan bunch.

    ‘Dad was hospitalised with Mysthenia Gravis and my sister, cousins and I had gone to visit him.’

    ‘Being too young to understand what all was going on our parents always made it out to be like an outing so that we would not be disturbed by the hospital and its workings.’

    ‘When I used to visit my father after his accident on the sets of “Coolie” in 1982, seeing him connected to many drips and machines, he used to tell me they were kites that he had got for me. I was 6 yrs old.’

    ‘My father was fighting for his life and all I thought about was… why isn’t he allowing me to play with these kites??? The innocence of childhood I guess.’

    http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/instastories-when-amitabh-was-hospitalised/20170904.htm

    Like

    Reply
  4. IdeaUnique Says:
    September 6, 2017 at 10:11 PM

    really fed up to c Farhaan Akhtars and Khuranas doing the films which Abhi should have been doing…..those 2 guys are highly over-rated and too self-indulgent actors (!) – i never watch their films in theaters….just not the star-material

    Like

    Reply
  5. Rahul Says:
    September 7, 2017 at 1:07 AM

    What are the ABJr projects in the pipeline? From what I gathered:

    1. Paltan
    2. Gustakhiyan
    3. Ronnie Screwala road movie with Irfaan Khan
    4. The Priyadarshan project (Sunil Shetty was talking about collaborating there a couple of weeks ago).
    5. Anurag Kashyap production (Gulab Jaamun?)
    6. NIshikant Kamat film

    Lefty (Prabhu Devaa) has been abandoned, it seems. Even from the list above, the first 2 look the likeliest ones to go on floor. The rest have been ongoing rumours without much development during the last few months.

    Like

    Reply
    • Satyam Says:
      September 7, 2017 at 6:46 AM

      Lefty is still on but Abhishek has clearly prioritized this other stuff (not as it was reported in the media that Prabhudevaa took on Dabanng 3 first.. in fact this project has been talked about for some years now but for some reason Abhishek never actually begins it). He’s not doing the Kashyap as far as I know. The Ronnie Screwala film he exited from for Paltan (again would have been a much easier deal). Dulquer Salman is now doing that film with Irrfan. The Priyan film is Bachchan Singh. Again not sire when it starts. So Abhishek in essence starts with the riskiest stuff! Incidentally he’s also doing something with RGV according to RGV. But again this one has been delayed too. Hope he never does it.

      Like

      Reply
  6. Rahul Says:
    September 8, 2017 at 12:35 AM

    So, it means that it is going to be Paltan, Gustakhiyan and maybe Bachan Singh is still on. Not a bad line-up (even if it looks risky). Wouldn’t bet against Dutta to deliver a decent war film.

    Like

    Reply
    • Marcus Says:
      September 8, 2017 at 1:02 AM

      I think Abhishek has wasted too much time to make a comeback. There was a time when he showed great promise and potential with some critically acclaimed films and BO hits. It started with Yuva and Dhoom in 2004, extended with BnB, Dus, Sarkar, Bluffmaster in 2005, KANK and D2 in 2006 and culminating with Guru in early 2007. Guru is easily the peak of Abhishek’s career with both critical acclaim and BO returns.

      But its been 10 years since Guru and things did not fall in place for him. Overall, he wasted his potential with poor choices (and performances). I dont see him making a comeback of any sorts, but some Bachchan fans may disagree.

      Like

      Reply
      • Satyam Says:
        September 8, 2017 at 5:48 AM

        Reinvention gets harder (even improbable) not easier with time. That goes without saying.

        Like

        Reply
        • Marcus Says:
          September 8, 2017 at 5:59 AM

          I somehow dont think Abhishek needs reinvention. He is a good actor with some star quotient mixed in. He just needs to sign a series of interesting projects (made at low budgets I must insist) and take it from there.

          Someone like SRK badly needs reinvention at this point, and going to Bhansali is hardly a solution!

          Like

  7. Marcus Says:
    September 8, 2017 at 3:46 AM

    The latest rumor is that Bhansali has shelved this project and will work with Srk after Padmavati.

    http://www.india.com/showbiz/sanjay-leela-bhansali-to-do-his-next-with-shah-rukh-khan-shelves-gustakhiyan-2457219/

    Like

    Reply
    • Satyam Says:
      September 8, 2017 at 5:47 AM

      I would celebrate if this were true!

      Like

      Reply
      • Marcus Says:
        September 8, 2017 at 5:56 AM

        Agree. Hope something better comes his way instead.

        Like

        Reply
        • Satyam Says:
          September 8, 2017 at 5:58 AM

          I’d say there’s one last run left in this case. This is absolutely the last chance. But it all depends on his judgment.

          Like

        • Marcus Says:
          September 8, 2017 at 6:04 AM

          Good actors dont have any shelf lives or a last chance kind of thing IMO. Its just that he has lost his star status (which can be put to good advantage) and making a comeback as a Star is difficult (dont see it coming at all). But he can still create his space like Irrfan has done, as an interesting actor to follow.

          Like

        • Satyam Says:
          September 8, 2017 at 6:25 AM

          yes but the problem with stars is that they can never just become ‘actors’. They live or die as stars. The only difference is that if they’re regarded well or highly as actors they can keep getting chances, even in improbable circumstances. But ultimately they have to return as stars, not just as actors.

          Like

        • Z Says:
          September 8, 2017 at 8:08 AM

          I think it can be done, just have to figure out which segment. So if you can consistently deliver let’s say a 50 crore movie on 20 crore budget, that’s a big win. Kind of like akshay, his limit is around 125 no matter the budget of movie, when he did do big budget films like teesmar khan, Jaaneman, chandni chowk to china and some others, they were never top earner of the year. In most cases they flopped badly. But now he figured out his market value and what works and is sticking to it.

          Abhi needs to do same. He got plenty of chances and will get few more but this is the end. He won’t get more chances after this. I think best bet is to do what askhay is doing. Do social relevant films. There is always demand for films like that. And in those type of movies, it doesn’t matter if it’s akshay or Irfan khan. The end result will be positive.

          I think the best bet was Run, but I think that movie came couple years early. Bollywood wasn’t ready for that type of over the top south movie fight sequences. Same movie released today would do lot more then what it did when it released.

          I still can’t understand why the script writers can’t come up with basic fundamental story.

          Like

        • Satyam Says:
          September 8, 2017 at 9:38 AM

          yes but Akshay is a star. He’s not the biggest one but he is a significant star. Any kind of star has to maintain a certain kind of standing. Akshay has been incredibly consistent in his range.

          Like

  10. aramakss Says:
    September 8, 2017 at 3:52 PM

    Saw this interview of Abhishek and it answers almost all the question we’ve posed here and elsewhere

    Like

    Reply
  11. Satyam Says:
    September 14, 2017 at 9:44 AM

    There has been strong buzz that actor-couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will reunite on the silver screen for poet Sahir Ludhianvi’s biopic. However, sources reveal that Aishwarya is not part of the film in which Abhishek is said to be playing the role of Ludhianvi.

    Denying reports that Aishwarya will portray Ludhianvi’s love interest, writer Amrita Pritam in the film, a source close to her says,“Aishwarya has not been approached for the film. She has no idea from where such baseless reports are pouring in. She has not seen the script.”

    http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/aishwarya-rai-bachchan-not-offered-amrita-pritam-s-role-in-sahir-ludhianvi-biopic/story-oIFp20LermsqpVWb6di3gM.html

    Like

    Reply
  12. Satyam Says:
    September 20, 2017 at 7:47 AM

    An industry source informed India.com that Gustakhiyan isn’t shelved and the reports about the same were actually circulated in the media by Bhansali’s production house. “It is Padmavati which should be in focus right now and not a future film which is still in the initial stage. Bhansali is possessive about his projects and is known to give his current project in hand his all. He didn’t like the fact that Gustakhiyan is being written about in the media so close to the release of Padmavati. He didn’t want the focus to shift and therefore the false news was circulated in the media.”

    A source from the production house also confirmed that there is no plan to shelve Gustakhiyan as it has been a pet project for Bhansali. However, the team is currently involved in everything related to Padmavati and therefore discussions about the next will only happen post the Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone. starrer hits screens. As per our sources, contrary to reports of the magnum opus being pushed to a February 2018 release, it is releasing on its scheduled date.

    http://www.india.com/showbiz/deepika-padukone-ranveer-singh-responsible-for-gustakhiyan-being-shelved-exclusive-2468223/

    Like

    Reply
  14. Amit kumar pandey Says:
    November 4, 2017 at 11:13 PM

    Seems to be tragic love story.. Might b slow n sad… Dont have high hopes from this movie..

    Like

    Reply
  16. Satyam Says:
    November 9, 2017 at 3:17 PM

    Abhishek Bachchan is in no hurry to sign new films. In fact, he has ceased to consider any other offer for now — and with good reason.

    He will now focus entirely, and unconditionally on the character of the powt-lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi, who rewrote many rules of filmy poetry. Abhishek has been locked in to play the poet in his biopic being directed by debutant Jasmeet Reen.

    Says a source, “Abhishek has begun preparing for the Sahir biopic. He will begin rigorous interaction with Sanjay Leela Bhansali too, after Padmavati releases. But his groundwork on Sahir has begun in the right earnest. He is regularly listening to the immortal repertoire of Sahir’s lyrics from Guru Dutt’s Pyasa to Yash Chopra’s Trishul. Abhishek’s father, Amitabh Bachchan, had the fortune of interacting with Sahir when he worked on Kabhi Kabhie and Trishul. So, Bachchan saab is able to provide plenty of invaluable inputs to Abhishek’s preparation.”

    Interestingly Abhishek is also helping his dad prepare for his role of a football coach for his upcoming movie.

    http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/101117/abhishek-bachchan-preps-to-play-sahir.html

    Like

    Reply
  17. Andy Says:
    November 17, 2017 at 10:29 AM

    Not sure if this show is for real on UTV May be its a web series?
    Good self-analysis around career, life by Abhishek here

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.