It’s been 3 years since the release of India’s biggest film (back then). Obviously, since 3 years have passed so has the momentum that this film generated when it was first released. The sequel was released three years ago while the first film was released in 2017.

The attention span these days is not like back then when people remembered a particular film for ages. This big film was a big deal back then, but now it will be interesting to see how people take the prequel.

So the producers had an issue while watching the film, which was mostly about the way it was made. Obviously, the original films were made on a huge scale so to have the same thing again is not going to be easy, especially when they dismantled the sets back then.

The VFX work is a lot on this OTT project, which explains why they finished shooting in late August last year and only now the producers have gotten a chance to see the film.

Now with all these issues, it will be interesting to see how they fix this project. They should have left the sets if they had plans to make a prequel. But then again, it’s not the same director directing this project so it’s obviously not going to be the same.

We are interested to see how this one turns out, especially when the actress who is playing this role is nothing like the original actress. So yes, all eyes are on her and what she can deliver.

What do you think? Are you excited for this project?

Check out the blind item from Rajeev Masand.

Bollywood Blind Item

Sunk Cost?

A top streamer’s big bet on a supposedly sureshot show appears to be in trouble. According to the industry grapevine, a streaming giant put down a sizeable chunk of cash while greenlighting a multi-part show envisioned as a spinoff to one of the country’s biggest box-office blockbusters.

The show would explore the backstory of one of the film’s central female characters, revealing how she grew into the woman we meet in the film. Given the massive popularity of the film and the interest around the character, there was no reason to believe the show wouldn’t work.

But turns out the delivered show has come in falling very short of internal expectations. According to well-placed sources, the big bosses at the streaming service were underwhelmed by what the producers handed over. Both content and aesthetic were not impressive, prompting them to ask for an overhaul.

Problem is the show was filmed on massive, elaborate sets that have since
been dismantled. Also the actress hired to play the younger version of the beloved character from the film has become especially busy in Hindi films since.

Still, one hears that the producers have put up smaller sets and intend to rely heavily on computer graphics and visual effects to expand on them. They’ve also appealed to the actress to give them dates for reshoots.

The show is reportedly being rushed into completion, so the streamer can slot it for release at the earliest. It’s already been a few years since the release of the film that inspired it, and the streamer’s plans to cash in on the hype around the film may be quashed.

Sources within the show’s production team are convinced, however, that the final product will be impressive. They blame the delay and reshoots on the fact that there were too many creative opinions in the mix and that the singular vision that powered the film was missing, given that the filmmaker was not involved with the show.

But they’re confident the interest in the film and its characters should not be underestimated. Plus they’re saying the actress in the central role has done a solid job. We’ll just have to wait and see.

OSOP Guesses

Top Streamer: Netflix

Film: Baahubali Before The Beginning

Female Character: Sivagami

Actress: Mrunal Thakur

We are done with season one. I can’t wait for the audience to experience the Mahishmati kingdom before Baahubali’ film series in two-three months, Mrunal told PTI.

The series, co-directed by Deva Katta and Praveen Sataru, will trace the dramatic rise of Queen Sivagami and her empire.

South star Ramya Krishnan played a role in the blockbuster Baahubali franchise, directed by SS Rajamouli.

The actor said the role of Sivagami attracted her to the project.

Everybody knows what happened later (in the films). People are more curious to know what must have happened earlier. I think the mystery is all about that, which I’m sure people will enjoy, she added.

Mrunal, who recently featured in films such as Batla House and Super 30, said she wants to do a dance-based project that would involve Kathak.