Nagraj Manjule talks about directing Amitabh Bachchan in Jhund!

Well-known director Nagraj Manjule is all set to make his debut in Hindi this week as his much-anticipated movie Jhund gears up for a theatrical release. Featuring Amitabh Bachchan, the film is based on the life of NGO of Slum Soccer Vijay Barse. In a media chat, the filmmaker disclosed why he decided to make the film in Hindi and working with Amitabh Bachchan.

Film Jhund initially began in 2017 but the producers backed out before producer Bhushan Kumar could revive the project in 2018. Talking about the hard time, director Manjule told, "I learnt the ability to power through this phase. Sometimes, things fall apart for the better. We had a set in Pune that we had to pull down. But it turned out to be (an advantage) as we eventually shot in Nagpur, where the story is originally set. Sometimes, I would get worried, but I had that zidd to make the film. I wouldn’t get the chance to work with Bachchan sir again. More than that, I had shown a dream to the kids, and I couldn’t take that away from them." 

When asked about working with Big B, Nagraj Manjule confesses he was star struck. Recalling his first meeting with the megastar, the Sairat maker revealed, “I’ve been a huge fan since I was a kid. But as a director, I knew I couldn’t be starry-eyed. I had to remind myself that I am making a movie with him."

Jhund hits theatres on 4 March, 2022.

Sairat director's Bollywood debut with Amitabh Bachchan?

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has numerous movies in his kitty. He was shooting for Thugs of Hindostan in Malta with Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh and is concurrently working on 102 Not Out alongside Rishi Kapoor. Additionally, Big B will also be seen in an important role in Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt's movie, Dragon.

Now as per a famous daily, the superstar of Bollywood is set to be seen in two-time National Award-winning Marathi filmmaker, Nagraj Manjule's Bollywood debut. As per reports, the movie will be a social drama and will have Big B in the role of a patriarch who has shades of grey.

Nagraj is well-known for his blockbuster hit Sairat which went on to break numerous records in the Marathi film industry. The movie is also set to be remade in Telugu and Punjabi language. Also, first-rate filmmaker Karan Johar might also adapt it in Bollywood.

Speaking about this untitled movie, rumours have it, Nagraj planned to make this movie in Marathi, but after the success of Sairat, he wishes to expand his horizon to Bollywood. A source close to the development of the project disclosed to a daily that Nagraj narrated the script to Bachchan in the month of January and he gave a nod to him.

The movie might go on floors later this year.

Lately, Big B took to his blog and wrote about his packed schedule till 2018-19. He specified, "Idleness invites complacency .. begs it to be of immense disinterest and lethargic in nature .. binds you in an embrace that you find difficult to get out of .. it is the fortune of goodness that I begin work in earnest again by tomorrow .. 102 Not Out starts again and hopefully shall be the end of the film, by the end of the month or a few days into August .. and then begins the ABC of KBC .. and then some more projects .. and the greater time for TOH .. and on and on till most of the end of 2018 and perhaps spilling over into 2019 .. and then some more for consideration .. and you wonder .. is it not too ambitious to be thinking so far and beyond .."