Director Shoojit Sircar is gearing up for his film, Gulabo Sitabo‘s, OTT premiere on the 12th of June. Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana, this comedy-drama was set to release in theatres, but due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the makers chose to release it online. After the government issued orders for resumption of film work on Monday, he also kicked off the post-production work on his upcoming Vicky Kaushal starrer, Sardar Udham Singh. Speaking about the movie, Shoojit Sircar said that this will be a tribute to the late actor, Irrfan Khan.
Talking to Mid-Day, Shoojit said that he had originally roped in Irrfan to play Sardar Udham Singh. But soon after, the actor was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour in 2018. Shoojit was even ready to wait for him, but the actor’s condition didn’t allow him to take on the project.
He says:
I think about Irrfan every day. His image floats in front of my eyes. We had grown close in the past two years when he underwent treatment. During his last 10 days, I was following up with Sutapa [Irrfan’s wife] and Babil [son]. Babil broke the news to me that morning. I still feel Irrfan is with me, talking to me. I can never get over his loss.
Speaking about completing the film in these uncertain times and in such circumstances, the director says:
Gulabo Sitabo was ready before the lockdown; all I did was deliver the film. The work on Udham Singh was halted due to the lockdown. Now, we are adhering by the guidelines as we proceed. The future at work won’t be easy. Shooting is best done in utter chaos. A film can’t be shot with constraints; it needs human interaction. But the virus is here to stay. So, we have to realign our methods.
I am sure this is going to be one kick-ass film and we can’t wait to watch it in the theatres, hopefully!