Mumbai: Filmmaker Amit Rai, roped in to direct the Shahid Kapoor-starrer historical drama on life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, recently confirmed that the film has been shelved.
Expressing his disappointment over the decision, Amit blamed the ‘cruel’ Bollywood system which doesn’t support genuine projects.
“The system is so cruel. Even if you have proved your mettle with a ₹180 crore film (OMG 2), it’s not enough. How is a director supposed to work here, under these systems of casting, production, star, and management? You live with a story for five years, and within minutes, somebody writes a five-pager pointing out what is wrong and what is right with the film,” Amit was quoted as saying by Mid-Day.
The filmmaker further expressed that he can make genuine films only by turning a producer.
In March 2024, a report in Pinkvilla stated that producer Dil Raju is teaming up with Wakaoo Films for a film based on the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Shahid will play the lead role in the film.
Speaking about his next venture, ‘Dharma’, and the challenges of casting an actor, Amit said, “An actor will only do what’s working at the box office. Very few actors were honest with me. Sometimes, they weren’t interested in being part of a film that speaks the truth about society and instead wanted to do a love story. But when I took a love story to them, they said, ‘This is an expensive film, this is a period love story.’ So, the criterion kept changing. [The truth is that] they will say yes to you only once you enter their circle.”
Amit’s directorial debut ‘Road to Sangam’ was a critically acclaimed film.
He rose to fame with Pankaj Tripathi’s ‘OMG 2’, a sequel to the Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal starrer ‘OMG: Oh My God!’.
The film, based on sensitive issues like sex education in a conservative society, left cash registers ringing at the box-office by earning ₹221.75 crore.
Shahid, on the other hand, is busy shooting for his upcoming movie, ‘Arjun Ustara’, slated for a December release this year.
Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film also features Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar, and Randeep Hooda in pivotal roles.