South Indian filmmakers are gaining prominence in Bollywood, especially after the massive success of movies like Jawan and Animal, which collectively grossed over 2000 crores worldwide at the box office last year.
Salman Khan is teaming up with Tamil director A.R. Murugadoss on a masala action entertainer, aiming to replicate the success Shah Rukh Khan achieved with Atlee’s Jawan. Varun Dhawan is collaborating with Atlee and Kalees for Baby John, while Shahid Kapoor is venturing into a suspense thriller with Malayalam filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews. Joining the league of Bollywood actors working with South Indian directors are now Ranveer Singh and Sidharth Malhotra.
Ranveer Singh in talks with Pa. Ranjith for Birsa Munda biopic
Peepingmoon.com has exclusively learned that Ranveer Singh is discussing an action project with Tamil director Pa. Ranjith, known for directing superstar Rajinikanth in Kabali and Kaala. They have been deliberating on a movie for the past couple of months, and although Ranveer has shown his interest, the project has not yet come to fruition. The talks are still at the nascent stage and might take some time to materialize. The yet-untitled film is believed to be based on the life of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, who stood up to British colonial oppressors in the 19th century. Ranjith has been developing this project for the past two years and plans to take it to the floor by the end of this year.
Ranveer hasn't given his nod to the Pa. Ranjith movie yet, but if he signs on, the project will mark his second biopic after Kabir Khan’s 83, which featured him in the role of Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev. The Bajirao Mastani actor is also discussing an action thriller with Uri: The Surgical Strike director Aditya Dhar, which is supposed to begin production in May 2024. This could possibly be his immediate next following the success of last year's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Ranveer also has Don 3 and Shaktiman, scheduled for production in September 2024 and February 2025, respectively.
Sidharth Malhotra in talks for action thriller about South African diamonds
Sidharth Malhotra, meanwhile, is in talks with two South Indian directors. Besides a thriller with Drishyam director Jeethu Joseph for Junglee Pictures, Sidharth is also discussing an action thriller with BR Films, set to be directed by a non-Hindi filmmaker whose identity is being kept under wraps at this moment. The details of the project are not yet known, but we heard it's about South African diamonds. The shooting timelines will be locked upon Sidharth’s confirmation.
Sidharth is currently awaiting the release of his upcoming hijack thriller, Yodha, set to hit screens on March 15. He will get back to sets soon after with Tushar Jalota’s Spider for Maddock Films, and will then head to Jeethu Joseph’s thriller drama around July 2024. The latter revolves around a valiant, sharp, and quick-witted law enforcement officer who embarks on a journey to fight for truth and bring justice in a high-stakes case at the international level. Sidharth is also in talks for a family comedy with a Bollywood director whose new film was released very recently to a lukewarm response.
