It’s been a tough year for director Shirish Kunder. His latest film, Joker, has fallen short of expectations at the box office, and now he’s been replaced by Sajid Nadiadwala as the director of Salman Khan‘s upcoming film, Kick. Having spent the last 20 years as a producer, you may be asking why the sudden shift. Well, Salman Khan may have a lot to do with the decision, here’s what he had to say.
Salman says, “Sajid’s narrations are better than those of most directors, and I’ve been pushing him to make the switch for years. In fact, I wanted him to turn director 10 years ago when he came to me with a film called Kunwara. Today, I’m still kunwara but he’s finally turned director!”
As for Sajid, here’s what he said in response to Salman’s comments:
“Our friendship goes back two decades. Salman and I share a very special chemistry, which you will now get to see on the big screen. We’ve given big hits like Jeet, Judwa, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega and Mujshe Shaadi Karogi in the past. So at this stage of his career, if he’s selected me as his director, I have to make sure I deliver to his expectations. I’ve also been speaking to several people from the industry that I’ve worked with in the past and they’ve all given me their blessings.”
The producer-director also insists that the parting with Shirish has been amiable, and in fact sent him a message that read: ‘It was you who envisioned this film, and no one else could have done justice to it.’
A nice gesture on Sajid’s part to soften the blow, but surely not the best of times for Shirish.