Twinkle Khanna had a six-year acting career during the '90s, but then she hung up her boots. And now, the actor turned author is all set to don a producer's hat with her maiden production venture, Pad Man. The project will be produced under her new banner and will have her superstar husband, Akshay Kumar, in the lead role.
Besides Twinkle, 2017 will also see a number of other new producers backing Bollywood movies. Katrina Kaif is reportedly planning to turn producer and also launch her younger sister, Isabel Kaif, in the Hindi film industry. Director Zoya Akhtar, who has so far made films under brother Farhan Akhtar's banner, is turning to production with Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt-starrer, Gully Boy, Priyanka Chopra is venturing into Hindi film territory with Little Joe Kaha Ho..and many others
Going slow
On the other hand, director Zoya Akhtar, who has so far made films under brother Farhan Akhtar's banner, is turning to production with Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt-starrer, Gully Boy. Also, after her forays into Punjabi and Marathi cinema, Priyanka Chopra is venturing into Hindi film territory with Little Joe Kaha Ho? (in Konkani and Hindi) and Almaseer.
We are a small production house and we're taking things slowly. We want to make good quality films - in Hindi, English or regional languages - that have new stories to tell. Hopefully, everything will go well. We're looking forward to creating more movies, TV content, and entertainment for the rest of the world,` says Priyanka. Her mother Dr Madhu Chopra takes care of her production house in India even as the actor is busy working in the West.
Experts feel that it's not necessary for all actors to turn producers, but they admit that turning producer may turn out well provided a `good business model can be followed and sustained over a period of time`. `It [production] gives [you] a lot of freedom, but as they say, with freedom comes responsibility. So, if an actor is turning producer, they should be an asset to a film and not become a liability,` says exhibitor-distributor Akshaye Rathi.
At the same time, experts also feel that an actor becoming a producer can be the `only way out` for films starring big names. `In fact, the way things are going right now [in the industry], if an actor commands a fee above a certain limit, that [turning producer] is the only way to go,` says Rathi.
This year will also see Anushka Sharma and her brother, Karnesh Sharma returning to the producers' chair with their second venture, Phillauri, after NH10 (2015). Also, Sanjay Dutt is co-producing a Rajkumar Hirani-directed biopic on his life.
