Films these days get made on tight schedules, and the backing of a reputable production house or a studio is an absolute necessity for a wide reach. After all, the film industry is all about money, and several projects have been doomed or plunged into uncertainty in the absence of financial support.
We have reported that the makers of 'Udta Punjab' are looking to collaborate with a film studio and until that happens, the star cast comprising Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh will apparently have to go without pay. A major production company had decided to invest in the film, but curiously enough decided to withdraw. Phantom Films are currently the sole producers.
The grapevine was abuzz with rumours that Amitabh Bachchan would produce Sudhir Mishra's 'Mehrunnisa' when Nikhil Advani abandoned the project allegedly because he was not keen on Chitrangada Singh playing the lead role
Hitlist takes a look at other instances from the recent past when lack of support from studios or production houses prevented projects from taking off...
Beg to differ
Just a few days ago, we had learnt about Rakesh Roshan producing Abhinay Deo's untitled project starring Irrfan, Aditi Rao Hydari, Divya Dutta, Kunal Roy Kapur and Vijay Raaz. The comedy thriller was set to go on the floors this month. However, Roshan backed out allegedly due to some differences with the director. With this apparent fallout, Deo decided to take the project ahead under his family banner, Ramesh Deo Productions (named after his father). The film will now commence from March and will be shot in Mumbai and Lucknow.
Priyanka Chopra's co-production 'Madamji' has been delayed apparently as the search for a film studio is on
Need a partner?
Priyanka Chopra's co-production 'Madamji' has been postponed due to the actress' packed date diary. The Madhur Bhandarkar-directed film was set to go on floors last November, but was delayed as the schedule of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama 'Bajirao Mastani' was extended by a fortnight and PeeCee had to allot her Madamji dates to SLB. Her illness also was said to have pushed the shoot ahead. Currently, she is in the US to honour her commitment with an American television network. But rumour mills suggest the real reason for 'Madamji' taking time to roll is that it hasn't managed to find backing from any studio as yet. A source close to the project confirms that the makers are looking out for a production partner.
Akshat had approached Fawad Khan to be cast in the lead and the actor had also agreed to the offer
Uncertain future
Akshat Verma, who wrote 'Delhi Belly', was directing a film that was being produced by UTV Studios, but apparently the studio pulled out at the last minute. The intense drama with comic touches was to go on the floors in November last year but has now been put on the back burner. There were rumours that Akshat had approached Fawad Khan to be cast in the lead and the actor had also agreed to the offer.
Pulkit Samrat walked out of Sonam Nair's 'No Sex Please' soon after he got married. Now co-producer Ekta Kapoor is also said to have backed out of the film
That's not my girl
Sudhir Mishra's prestigious project 'Mehrunnisa' didn't take off, apparently as there were no producers for the film. Chitrangada Singh and Amitabh Bachchan had been locked as the lead stars and were supposed to start shooting from April 2014 when it was pushed to October. Later, there were reports that Bachchan would produce the film. However, sources tells us otherwise. Apparently, it has been kept in cold storage. Nikhil Advani was to produce the film but he is said to have walked away as he didn't want Chitrangada to be a part of the project.
Not in the mood for sex
Sonam Nair's sex comedy 'No Sex Please' has been indefinitely pushed. Earlier, the film was to star Pulkit Samrat who abandoned the film soon after he tied the knot with Salman Khan's 'rakhi' sister and longtime girlfriend, Shweta Rohira. Reportedly, the project was being co-produced by Ekta Kapoor and Karan Johar, but we hear the former has washed her hands of the project.
