In a significant observation about the evolving landscape of Indian cinema, acclaimed filmmaker Rohit Shetty has pinpointed casting as a cornerstone for the success of pan-India films. The director, famous for blockbuster franchises like 'Golmaal', 'Singham', and 'Chennai Express', specifically highlighted the work of casting director Mukesh Chhabra, using the recent triumph of Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar' as a prime example.
Shetty's Prerequisite for a Pan-India Project
During a recent public appearance, Rohit Shetty was questioned about his potential interest in directing a pan-India movie featuring stars from various regional film industries. His response was cautious yet insightful. "I'll think about it," Shetty stated, before immediately steering the conversation away from typical considerations like budget or scale.
Instead, he focused squarely on the critical element of casting. Shetty declared that he would only contemplate such a multi-regional venture if renowned casting director Mukesh Chhabra was at the helm of selecting the actors. He pointed to Chhabra's exceptional work on the film 'Dhurandhar', suggesting that the movie's widespread acceptance and remarkable box office performance were fundamentally rooted in its perfect casting choices.
Public Acclaim for 'Dhurandhar' and Its Team
Shetty's admiration for 'Dhurandhar' and its casting was not confined to the event. Back in December, the filmmaker took to Instagram to share a detailed post lavishing praise on the film and its creators. In his celebratory note, Shetty wrote:
"TAKE A BOW ADITYA DHAR AND TEAM… YOU HAVE CREATED A MONSTER… RANVEER MERE BHAI… ‘APNA TIME AAGAYA’… HAPPY TO SEE AKSHAYE GETTING THE LOVE AND RESPECT AS AN ACTOR HE DESERVED FOR YEARS… YOUR JOURNEY FROM URI TO DHURANDHAR AS A PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR IS INSPIRING…"
This public endorsement underscored his belief in the project's execution, particularly the performances drawn out by effective casting.
Shifting Gears: From Cop Universe to Comedy
On the work front, Rohit Shetty's last directorial venture was the star-studded action film 'Singham Again', which featured a massive ensemble including Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor, and Deepika Padukone.
However, the filmmaker is now ready for a change of pace. In a recent interview with ANI, Shetty confirmed that his immediate focus has shifted. "I would like to take a break from the cop universe. I have been continuously working on cop films since 2008, but now I am really looking forward to making comedy films. Golmaal is coming next," he revealed.
This announcement sets the stage for the highly anticipated fifth installment of his beloved comedy franchise, 'Golmaal 5', marking a deliberate pivot back to the genre that launched his career.
