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Pratik Gandhi teams up with Jackie Shroff for Atithi Bhooto Bhava; Madhur Bhandarkar ropes in Aahana Kumra, Sai Tamhankar, Prateik Babbar and others for 'India Lockdown'

As we have entered 2021, filmmakers are announcing their upcoming films. Several films have kickstarted the shoot after much delay. Here's what is happening in Bollywood!

Pratik Gandhi, Jackie Shroff and Sharmin Segal to star in Atithi Bhooto Bhava, shoot begins today

Pratik Gandhi shot to fame with Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story. After playing the titular role, the Gujarati actor has become every filmmaker's favourite. Within a few months, he has bagged multiple projects. Pratik has now signed an upcoming romantic-comedy film titled Atithi Bhooto Bhava.

The film co-stars Jackie Shroff and Sharmin Segal. The shoot of Atithi Bhooto Bhava started today in Mathura. This is the first time Pratik is collaborating with Jackie and it is Sharmin's second film after Malaal.

Helmed by Hardik Gajjar, presented by Dr. Jayantilal Gada’s Pen Studio, Atithi Bhooto Bhava is produced by Hardik Gajjar Films and Back Bencher pictures.

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Aahana Kumra, Sai Tamhankar, Prateik Babbar and others to lead Madhur Bhandarkar's India Lockdown

Madhur Bhandarkar, after Indu Sarkar in 2017, has been missing in action. Now, the Padma Shri awardee is making a film titled India Lockdown. Produced by Bhandarkar Entertainment and P J Motion Pictures, the film will go on floors next week. Ahead of that, the director announced the star cast. 

India Lockdown will star Aahana Kumra, Sai Tamhankar, Prateik Babbar, Shweta Basu Prasad, Prakash Belawadi and Zarin Shihab. Madhur, on Twitter, shared the first poster. The poster features a huge lock. People like street vendors to high society members are suffering. 

Reportedly, the film is inspired by true events that occurred during the Coronavirus lockdown. 

Aleya Motion Magic, ThinkInk Picturez, and Blue Lotus Creative’s join hands to bring an Omung Kumar film to the big screen

A story that necessitated the collaboration of three creative powerhouses namely, Omung Kumar, Raaj Shaandilyaa, and Kunal Shivdasani is now all set to see the light of day very soon. Pooling their individual sensibilities together, the three filmmakers announce Fauja based on the book Turbaned Tornado written by Khushwant Singh and published by Rupa Publications, on the real-life story of the 109-year-old Fauja Singh (better known as the Sikh Superman), who stunned the world with his age-defying energy by shattering world records as a marathon runner. The three creative powerhouses combine forces for the biopic, which is touted to inspire generations with an amazing story that captures his fascinating journey over the decades.

Directed by Omung, the biopic chronicles the life of Fauja Singh, the World's Oldest Marathon Runner whose rollercoaster-ride-like journey is nothing short of inspiring. With soul-stirring dramas such as Mary Kom and Sarbjit to his credit, Director and Partner Producer, Omung Kumar said, “The story of Fauja Singh depicts the insurmountable odds stacked against him and what sheer power of will can make of someone who is challenged medically, by age and by society.” 

Producer Kunal Shivdasani, Aleya Motion Magic told, “It is a beautiful story about a man whose life takes him on an epic journey making him a world icon as he discovers his passion for running marathons; eventually, that guided him to make an impact on the world by bringing about a change to humanity. Omung is a dear friend and we share the same vision for the film, he has helmed Sarbjit and Mary Kom - two of the best and most successful biopics in the country and so having him chair the director's role for this film was a unanimous decision. We are very excited to offer this story to viewers, who have been deprived of cinema as we know it for quite some time. Our film intends to make the amazing journey of Fauja Singh personal to everyone watching it.” 

Partner Producer, Raaj Shaandilyaa says, “Fauja Singh is the real king and we are all honoured to present his story in the form of a cinematic experience for the Indian diaspora world over. This story takes us on a journey through time and makes the realization of what our grandparents have been through hit home. It is a film that promises an instant connect.”

Applause Entertainment and Drishyam Films' upcoming project Iftikhar, to go on floors in September this year 

After creating super-successful digital series’ like Scam 1992 and Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors, Applause Entertainment is all set to foray into films with Iftikhar, a co-production with award-winning studio Drishyam Films. The film is based on the life of one of India’s most decorated military officers, Major Mohit Sharma. The Para Special Forces Officer, who was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra in 2009, infiltrated Hizbul Mujahideen under the alias of Iftikhar Bhatt. 

The film is an adaptation of the first chapter of Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh’s book, India’s Most Fearless 2 : More Military Stories of Unimaginable Courage and Sacrifice, published by Penguin Random House India. Check out the teaser poster here: 

Talking about the project, Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment, said, “This is our second outing with Shiv and Rahul after Avrodh last year. We were amazed by the bravado that Major Mohit Sharma displayed in Shopian, and immediately knew that this is a story that needs to be told to, and known by, every Indian. We had acquired the rights to this story last year and look forward to partnering with Drishyam Films in presenting this incredible tale of unflinching courage and strength to the world." 

Manish Mundra, founder-producer of Drishyam Films, shared, “When we came across the chapter of Major Mohit Sharma, it intrigued us. I believe it's our duty as filmmakers to identify such heroes, whose lives will not just inspire the current youth but also tell them about the sacrifices made by our special forces. We're delighted to team with Applause Entertainment to share stories of these bravehearts with the whole world. Drishyam Films is proud to be a part of this film. This is a new beginning for us, and we hope it will be a step forward towards showcasing India's glory at the global stage.” 

Writer Shiv Aroor told, “When we set out to tell the tale of Major Mohit Sharma, it was with astonishment that so few had even heard of such an incredible hero. We are thrilled that the story we told will now reach many millions more through film.”

Writer Rahul Singh said, “The story of Major Mohit Sharma is very close to our hearts. It has been our privilege to see his life through the eyes of his army comrades and his family. We cannot think of better hands in which to entrust this great story.”

Iftikhar will be produced by Applause Entertainment in collaboration with Drishyam Films. The production is all set to begin in September 2021. The film is slated for an Independence Day 2022 release.

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