The announcement of ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ this morning has made every film-lover happy. The film will star three big heroines- Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt. However, the announcement came with its share of surprise that the three had agreed to work with each other; Priyanka has called it a ‘celebration of friendship’
. A source says, “A lot of people in Bollywood are tremendously surprised that how Farhan pulled off this casting coup. Actually ‘casting coup’ is a moderate term to use here because these three girls have a history of issues.” Adds the source, “They may have made up but the cracks were not thin and small that they would have healed up fully.
This film is clearly a sign of maturity and understanding that no grudge/resentment is worth holding forever.”
Rewind. Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif were great friends once upon a time. The two gal pals were often spotted hanging out together, especially at gym workouts. Those were the days when Kaif was living-in with Ranbir Kapoor. There were reports that Katrina and Ranbir would soon tie the knot, when suddenly one heard that they have broken up and Ranbir has developed feelings for the ‘Student Of The Year’ actress. Buzz was, hell then broke loose and Katrina and Alia stopped talking to each other.
While Katrina made up with Deepika by accepting the invitation to her wedding with Ranveer Singh, there was no such immediate episode that she came in contact with Alia and let bygones be bygones. Time rolled by but as they say, time is a healer. Katrina broke the ice and showered love on Alia with an Instagram story featuring the poster of ‘Gully Boy’
. Before you could blink, Alia had reposted the story with a thank you caption even referring to Katrina with her nickname Katty. A month later, Katrina happily greeted Alia at the Filmfare Awards function.
Rewinding furthermore. Priyanka and Katrina haven’t seen much eye-to-eye. Reportedly, both wanted to enter the stage last and be the showstopper at an award function a few years ago. It was whispered that this didn’t go down well with either of them. All this and more on the Internet might be only loose talk but it’s still fascinating that the three have shown no sign of insecurity and agreed to do a multi-starrer together. “Absolutely,” says trade expert Taran Adarsh, “Jee Le Zaraa is a multi-starrer. If ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ from the same stable, a road film again, was a male multi-starrer which it was- then ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ is a female multi-starrer.
I am also excited by the fact that Farhan returns to direction after nearly a decade (Don 2 was his last). Add this to the fact that super talented Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti have written it. I would like to see this film first day first show in the theatre.” Another trade expert, Amod Mehra, welcomes the film and says that presumably it is the lockdown that did the trick. “The lockdown has taught everyone to be inter-dependent on each other.
Whatever the so-called differences existed, there’s is no time for enmity. I can feel the positive vibes in the industry as I have been going out recently and everyone is wanting to get back into the thick of things in a big way. Most ego battles are a thing of the past.” ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ might still be 2 years away from hitting theatres but Gaiety-Galaxy-Maratha Mandir owner Manoj Desai too hails it and says, “I am just waiting for the theatres to open.
Films like ‘Jee Le Zaraa’ are most welcome and will act as a big boost to businessmen like us who have lost hordes of money in the COVID phase.” Leading financer Narendra Hirawat who has bankrolled films like ‘Tubelight’ hailed Farhan and Ritesh’s announcement, saying, “Farhan will be able to handle the equations of Alia, Katrina and Priyanka under one roof. Plus, it’s such a healthy thing to hear for the industry which has been pushed on the back foot since last year and still showing no major signs of recovery. Kabhi kabhi bas dream casting ho jaati hai (sometimes things fall in place and you get just the actors you thought of) and this is definitely one such instance.
” Lights! Camera! Action! Time to celebrate! Farhan, couldn’t have chosen a better day than to announce this film. ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ released on this very day, 20 years ago. Yours truly had ‘The Afternoon, Despatch & Courier’ tabloid in his lap while heading to see it. Film critic then, and producer now, Tanuj Garg had given it 5 stars. I thought he has got carried away. But I was wrong.
