Yash Raj Films and Shekhar Kapur to make “PAANI”

Shekhar Kapur and Yash Raj Films have joined hands to make Shekhar Kapur’s ambitious project, PAANI.

Talking about this association, Shekhar Kapur said, “I have been preparing for this film for a long time, but always wanted an Indian partner that has the same passion for the film as I do and in Adi I have finally found that. It’s a huge production that demands futuristic sets and large action pieces. With Yash Raj Films, I have found a perfect home for PAANI”.

The film is based in a future world where wars over water have broken out. Water is now owned by International Corporations who use thirst as a weapon of control. In one such future city, a young love story breaks all the rules and in the ensuing war, water flows back to its people. The film will have a strong Indian and Western star cast, headed by a young leading actor from India and a young leading actress from the west.

The film, Produced by Aditya Chopra and Directed by Shekhar Kapur, will be shot in India and overseas. Music is by A. R. Rahman.

PAANI goes on floor mid-2013.

Link

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33 Comments
  1. Baba Ji 11 years ago

    LOL! From boyle to adi. quite a journey for shekhar kapur.Hopefully kapur wont go to sonam instead of kristen 😉

  2. cr7 11 years ago

    “headed by a young leading actor from India and a young leading actress from the west.”

    new movie for srk 😀

    • Author
      sputnik 11 years ago

      LOL SRK will be playing a 15 year old in this one 😉

  3. Reddemon 11 years ago

    they r projecting this one like it is a magnum opus. i think they shud let the muvi speak for itself.
    we have already witnessed RA.ONE

  4. sauravjha 11 years ago

    Hrithik is in contention to do this infact he was first offered Paani. Krish 3 shooting is almost over so he can do this one.

  5. mate 11 years ago

    Firstly it’s not a hot property at BO for any reason yet It will be total washout. Srk, stay away from these ambitious projects. 😀

  6. Reddemon 11 years ago

    Hrithik is doing this and its official…
    3 mega projects for hrithik
    krrish 3
    knight and day remake
    paani

  7. Baba Ji 11 years ago

    the biggest issue with this film is that that cynical manipulative aditya chopra is the producer. he wil interfere with the project and give his useless outdated ideas to make it pleasing for BO like he did for jthj. I hope SK doesnt allow it. I had read its story when SL used to tweet about it. its a very novel concept on the corporatization of water and how water will become a stock exchange commodity in the future.

    • Author
      sputnik 11 years ago

      The sudden interest by YRF in Paani has got something to do with the whole Hollywood production thing that they started with Uday Chopra sometime back.

      And I don’t think Shekhar Kapur will tolerate Aditya Chopra’s interference. Shekhar Kapur is known to walk out of movies or the movie might get shelved.

    • Ritz 11 years ago

      Shekhar Kapoor will not allow it. Besides, I dont agree with all the accusations on Aditya Chopra – afterall he was the one who gave us films like DDLJ and RNBDJ. It was probably inability of Yash Chopra to carry the film on his shoulders and hence Aditya had to give many inputs and it ended up neither being here nor there – just a guess – havent seen the film but from reviews/comments I think so.

      Its high time Paani is made. Satyamev Jayate already made people very much aware of the issues recently.

      • Bored 11 years ago

        Shekhar Kapur cant be manipulated – even Hollywood studios could not do that.
        He prefers doing nothing rather than being manipulated. That is the reason he had walked out of so many projects in the last 7 years.

        Paani was supposedly the last movie that Yash Chopra wanted his banner to produce – and his two sons are going forward with it.

        I will be upto Shekhar Kapur to realize his dream or not. Having Hrithik and Kristen on board may help.

  8. Reddemon 11 years ago

    Shekhar Kapur tweeted this
    @ shekharkapur
    ‘7 killed in Water Riots in Mumbai’ I wrote this story 3 years ago. Never dreamt that this day is almost upon us

    https://shekharkapur.com/blog/2010/05/death-toll-up-to-7-in-riot-over-water-tanker-in-malabar-hill-mumbai/

  9. Author
    sputnik 11 years ago

    SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT TO PLAY THE MALE LEAD IN YASH RAJ FILMS & SHEKHAR KAPUR’S “PAANI”

    Close on the heels of his outstanding and realistic performance in SHUDDH DESI ROMANCE, both Shekhar Kapur and Aditya Chopra had no hesitation in confirming Sushant Singh Rajput to play the lead in PAANI.

    Speaking about the actor, Shekhar Kapur said, “Sushant is one of the most inspiring young actors to emerge out of India. It’s going to be an exciting director-actor collaboration with him on Paani.”

    The film is based in a future world where wars over water have broken out. Water is now owned by International Corporations who use thirst as a weapon of control. In one such future city, a young love story breaks all the rules and in the ensuing war, water flows back to its people. The film will have a strong Indian and Western star cast. Sushant will be joined by a young leading actress from the west.

    The film, Produced by Aditya Chopra and Directed by Shekhar Kapur, will be shot in India and overseas. Music is by A. R. Rahman.

    PAANI goes on floor mid-2014.

    Link

    • Baba 11 years ago

      sushant singh rajput surely has some godfather in the industry. he gets plum projects all the time. wasnt hrithik supposed to do this? did they reject him or did he reject this?

      • Author
        sputnik 11 years ago

        Agree Baba. He is doing Byomkesh Bakshi with Dibakar and now this.

        I don’t see what is so great about him. He has very ordinary looks and I don’t find his acting that great either.

        • Manish 11 years ago

          Same i feel as well … i cant forget how rajeev khandelwal, who is definitely better looking n more talented than sushant is no where to be seen

      • Author
        sputnik 11 years ago

        Shekhar Kapur’s reason for not casting Hrithik in Paani. Thanks to CilemaSnob for the link.

        Which Director in his right mind ever give up a chance to work with Hrithik Roshan ?

        He has been one of the most exciting actors in Hindi Cinema for a long time. And a huge star to boot. Some years ago I predicted he would be the first Indian actor to hit Hollywood big time. Like I mean really, in the A list. I am surprised that he has not done so. Maybe Hindi films keep him too busy. Maybe he will after the next Krish

        And years ago, as I sat down to write Paani, I had one image in mind to play the male lead. Hrithik Roshan. The character I described in the script was completely Hrithik. His manner, his inner world, his conflicts .. were all Hrithik. I sat with AR Rahman and as we composed music together, I always would ask him to imagine Hrithik.

        But then the years passed. I got involved with Hollywood. Other projects ensnared me away from the project that was my deepest passion .. Paani. And as the years passed, and the script kept evolving.. changing. And Hrithik changed too. He went from being a young man uncertain of himself, a young man looking for his identity in this world, with no understanding of the power, the rebellion inside him that would change his life…..

        ….to what Hrithik is today. The Super Hero. The man who is the protector, the man who can take on the world single handedly. The man who knows he can take on the world singlehandedly. Hrithik evolved into Krish.

        And I realized I had left it too late…..

        So while I lost the chance to cast Hrithik in Paani, I hope that he would still agree to be in one of my next films. In Hollywood probably.

        For which Director in his right mind would ever give up the chance to work with Hrithik Roshan ?

        Link

  10. raj 11 years ago

    kab?

  11. aryan 11 years ago

    If anybody signed Sushanth Singh Rajput he comes in low price and dates easily available but Aditya Chopra should be extra careful as per Shekhar Kapur’s track record he used to run away before completing the movie.

  12. FS 11 years ago

    Sushant is one of the better actor we have with better looks & his screen presence in Pavitra Rishta was almost equivalent to charm & charisma of Rajeev Khandelwal of “kahin to hoga”. I prefer rajeev over sushant in acting but sushant over rajeev in dance.

    Feels bad when talents are not recognized & supported. Sushant is very lucky in this but they both hav good fan following.

    Lets see how will be the end product. Best of luck

  13. ank_16n 11 years ago

    sushant is getting same support from Aditya chopra that SRK got from yash chopra……….lets see if aditya chopra is as right as his father..!!

    the difference between rajeev n sushant is sushant is young when he entred bollywood….while rajeev was above 30-32 when he entered bollywood..!! 😉

  14. Manish 11 years ago

    age is not criteria nowadays .. john first movie came when he was 30 , vidyut jamwal was 32 when he came in force … its all abt support iam sure vidyut will make a name for him with commando n now RKS movie ( its a big movie IMO) n commando 2 in planning by vipul n akki n then vipul looking for a script to have both akki n vidyut in same movie …

    john ko to acting bhi nahi aati who started at 30… rajeev lacked the support , even today usse thoda support mil jaye he can make his name in bollywood

    BTW i agree rajeev in dance is Zero IMO as wrll

  15. ank_16n 11 years ago

    the thing is sushant is getting yrf movies which mainly focus on youth and is about young romantic character which Rajeev couldn’t have got from yrf at 32-34……
    that’s the difference 😉

    John was struggling just like rajeev 2-3 years back after 2 hits ,thing was he made something different with his body structure to suit action roles which might have been the gamechanger..!! 😛

    vidyut is not far ahead of rajeev at this stage rajeev had a table no. 21 with 13-14cr similarly vidyut had a 19-20cr commando………..but yes vidyut seems to be showing much bigger growth in getting bigger movies..!!

    the last thing i think what rajeev did wrong was he took too much time in doing movies after the successful launch with Aamir..!! 😛

  16. ank_16n 11 years ago

    Rajeev next film is Fever…..if that can work then he will be back with fever n table no. 21 as back to back success..!!

  17. Author
    sputnik 11 years ago

    Sushant Singh Rajput on the roll, to romance Katrina Kaif, in ‘Fitoor’

    After the success of “Kai Po Che”, filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor is busy working on “Fitoor”, which he plans to start shooting early next year.

    The film is an adaptation of Charles Dicken’s classics ‘The Great Expectations’ and will bring together Katrina Kaif and Sushant Singh Rajput for the first time on screen.

    “I am currently working on the script of ‘Fitoor’. I am really excited about it and will start shooting early next year. I am blessed that Katrina and Sushant are equally excited about the film,” Abhishek told PTI.

    The director will be working with Katrina for the first time, while he had teamed up with Sushant after “Kai Po Che”.

    On the pairing of these two actors, Abhishek said, “They best suit the characters involved in the movie. I don’t know how they will evolve since it’s too early to know but I am hoping it turns out to be good.”

    ‘The Great Expectations’ is the story of Pip, an orphan boy, who falls in love with a wealthy but heartless girl named Estella.

    Abhishek’s “Kai Po Che” is one of the contenders for India’s official entry for the Oscars next year but the director is not willing to talk much about film’s chances of getting nominated from India’s side.

    “I really don’t know what are the parameters for a movies selection to Oscars… I have full faith in the people taking the decision and may the best man win. There is a lot of effort gone into the film and as a filmmaker I am satisfied,” he said.

    “Kai Po Che” was an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s book ‘3 Mistakes of My Life’ and starred Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh and Raj Kumar Yadav in lead roles.

    Abhishek started his Bollywood career with acting in “Uff!Yeh Mohabbat” in 1996 opposite Twinkle Khanna, but shifted to direction with 2006 release “Aryan”.

    https://www.indianexpress.com/news/sushant-singh-rajput-on-the-roll-to-romance-katrina-kaif-in-fitoor/1170802/

  18. Bored 11 years ago

    Very surprised that everyone from Dibakar, Shekhar, Gowariker and Abhishek Kapoor are all approaching Sushant Singh Rajput as the new romantic hero – wasnt Ranbir the first choice for directors now?

  19. aryan 11 years ago

    Why Hrithik is not a part of Shekhar Kapur’s ‘Paani’ as intended

    According to a leading tabloid, Hrithik Roshan and the producers of ‘Paani’ decided to call it quits over a disagreement on profit sharing.

    With news floating that Sushant Singh Rajput is now the main lead in Shekhar Kapur’s much-delayed film ‘Paani’, movie buffs are left wondering why the brilliant director chose Sushant instead of Hrithik Roshan , who had supposedly been signed for the film. Sources maintain that it has to do primarily with the production house’s dissent to negotiate on the profit sharing with the actor.

    However, the official spokesperson of the production house slams the entire buzz that Hrithik was ever even approached for the film, “It is completely untrue.” Hrithik continued to remain unavailable for comment.

    On the contrary, a source says, “Hrithik was offered the film but the production house, Yash Raj Films, was not okay to give him a profit-share in the film which led to both the actor and the production house to part ways.”

    But here’s the interesting part. An excerpt from Shekhar Kapur’s blog has a different story to tell.

    Shekhar Kapur: “Which Director in his right mind would ever give up a chance to work with Hrithik Roshan? He has been one of the most exciting actors in Hindi Cinema for a long time. And a huge star to boot. And years ago, as I sat down to write Paani, I had one image in mind to play the male lead. Hrithik Roshan. The character I described in the script was completely Hrithik. His manner, his inner world, his conflicts…were all Hrithik. I sat with AR Rahman and as we composed music together, I always would ask him to imagine Hrithik.

    But then the years passed. I got involved with Hollywood. Other projects ensnared me away from the project that was my deepest passion…Paani. And as the years passed, and the script kept evolving.. changing. And Hrithik changed to…To what Hrithik is today. The Super Hero. The man who is the protector, the man who can take on the world single handedly. The man who knows he can take on the world singlehandedly. Hrithik evolved into Krish. And I realized I had left it too late…So while I lost the chance to cast Hrithik in Paani, I hope that he would still agree to be in one of my next film…” (sic)

    https://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/why-hrithik-is-not-a-part-of-shekhar-kapurs-paani-as-intended/1/310786.html

  20. Author
    sputnik 10 years ago

    YRF announces its renewed movie slate
    14 April 2014

    YASH RAJ FILMS is happy to renew its slate of forthcoming films for 2014 & 2015. These dates supercede the ones announced earlier for some of the films.

    MARDAANI
    22 August, 2014

    Shivani Shivaji Roy is an astute cop working in a Mumbai Crime Branch unit. Deft at picking up hidden clues and fearless in confronting hardened criminals, Shivani stumbles on a case that will change her life forever.

    Starring Rani Mukerji in the lead, playing the role of a cop for the first time, the raw and gritty film will be a distinct departure from Pradeep Sarkar’s style of filmmaking.

    Directed by Pradeep Sarkar and Produced by Aditya Chopra

    DAAWAT-E-ISHQ
    05 September, 2014

    A deliciously romantic coming together of Gulrez “Gullu” Qadir (Parineeti Chopra) a Hyderabadi shoe-sales girl disillusioned with love because of her encounters with dowry-seeking men; and Tariq “Taru” Haidar (Aditya Roy Kapoor) a Lucknawi cook who can charm anybody with the aroma and flavours of his biryani and kebabs.

    Starring Aditya Roy Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra
    Written & Directed by Habib Faisal and Produced by Aditya Chopra
    Music by Sajid-Wajid and Lyrics by Kausar Munir

    HAPPY NEW YEAR
    Diwali, 2014

    An action-packed musical heist.

    Starring Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood, Jackie Shroff & Vivaan Shah
    Directed by Farah Khan and Produced by Red Chillies Entertainments Pvt. Ltd.
    Music by Vishal-Shekhar and Lyrics by Irshad Kamil
    Distributed worldwide exclusively by YRF

    KILL DIL
    14 November, 2014

    Once upon a time in North India, two killers – Dev (Ranveer Singh) and Tutu (Ali Zafar), roamed free. Abandoned when young and vulnerable, Bhaiyaji (Govinda) gave them shelter and… nurtured them to kill. All is normal in their lives until destiny throws free spirited Disha (Parineeti Chopra) into the mix. What follows is a game of defiance, deception and love.

    Starring Ranveer Singh, Ali Zafar, Parineeti Chopra and Govinda
    Directed by Shaad Ali and Produced by Aditya Chopra
    Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Lyrics by Gulzar

    TITLI
    TBD

    In the badlands of Delhi’s dystopic underbelly, Titli, the youngest member of a violent car-jacking brotherhood plots a desperate bid to escape the ‘family’ business.
    His struggle to do so is countered at each stage by his indignant brothers, who finally try marrying him off to ‘settle’ him.

    Titli, finds an unlikely ally in his new wife, caught though she is in her own web of warped reality and dysfunctional dreams. They form a strange, beneficial partnership, only to confront their inability to escape the bindings of their family roots. But is escape, the same as freedom?

    Starring Ranveer Shorey, Amit Sial and introducing Shashank Arora
    Directed by Kanu Behl and Produced by Dibakar Banerjee

    DETECTIVE BYOMKESH BAKSHY!
    13 February, 2015

    In a contemporary interpretation of war torn Calcutta during the 1940’s, the film follows the first adventure of Byomkesh (Sushant Singh Rajput), fresh out of college, as he pits himself against an evil genius who is out to destroy the world. It’s his wits against the most villainous arch criminal the world has seen, in a world of murder, international political intrigue and seduction.

    Starring Sushant Singh Rajput
    Directed and Produced by Dibakar Banerjee

    BANK-CHOR
    06 March, 2015

    A comic-caper, that tells the story of 3 morons trying to rob a bank who pick the worst day possible when everything that can go wrong, goes wrong and how they’re inadvertently caught in the crossfire of cops, industrialists and corrupt netas.

    Starring Kapil Sharma
    Directed by Bumpy and Produced by Ashish Patil
    A Y-Films Production

    DUM LAGA KE HAISHA
    24 April, 2015

    From overcoming his fear of the English language to dealing with an overbearing father, Prem (Ayushmann Khurrana) discovers that his oversized and mismatched wife, Sandhya (Bhumi Pednekar), who he thought was a spanner in his business and life, will actually lead him to something quite cool.

    Starring Ayushmann Khurrana & Bhumi Pednekar
    Directed by Sharad Kataria and Produced by Maneesh Sharma
    Music by Anu Malik

    FAN
    14 August, 2015

    Shah Rukh Khan, the man unarguably with one of the greatest fan following globally, will now play the role of being the biggest fan himself in the forthcoming movie.

    Starring Shah Rukh Khan
    Directed by Maneesh Sharma, Produced by Aditya Chopra and Written by Habib Faisal

    Link

    • Author
      sputnik 10 years ago

      KILL DIL synopsis sounds same as that of Gunday and has Ranveer Singh too.

      Happy New Year has Deepika Padukone’s name before SRK’s. Looks like Yash Raj films have realized that Deepika is a bigger star than SRK now 😉

      • Bored 10 years ago

        Bit disappointed that Byomkesh got postponed to next yr – was one of my most awaited movies this yr. Its my most interesting pick amongst this YRF slate.

    • Author
      sputnik 10 years ago

      YRF & Kapil Sharma decide to part ways
      3 July 2014

      In a recent development, YRF & Kapil Sharma have decided to part ways mutually. Y Films’ “Bank Chor” will now go on floor without him.

      Ashish Patil, Business & Creative Head, Youth Films, Talent Management & Brand Partnerships at Yash Raj Films, speaking on this development said, “We will look forward to working together in future when the time is right.”

      “Bank-Chor” is a comic-caper, that tells the story of 3 morons trying to rob a bank who pick the worst day possible when everything that can go wrong, goes wrong and how they’re inadvertently caught in the crossfire of cops, industrialists and corrupt netas. “Bank-Chor” is directed by Bumpy and produced by Ashish Patil.

      Watch this space to for more announcements on this front soon!

      Link

    • Author
      sputnik 10 years ago

      Kill Dil Teaser Poster

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