Deepika Padukone, who was last seen in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial Padmaavat (2018), will start shooting for her forthcoming film by early next year. To be helmed by renowned filmmaker Meghna Gulzar, the movie is based Laxmi Agarwal, an acid attack survivor who was attacked at the tender age of 15.
"We will start working on the film early next year. I think it's a story that needs to be told. It's a very important story and it's a true life incident, so hopefully good things will come out of it," Deepika Padukone said while interacting with the media at Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards 2018 on Thursday in Mumbai.
Apart from playing the female lead in the untitled project, Padukone will co-produce it also. There are some reports which suggest that her husband Ranveer Singh is also planning to start producing films with her.
Aside from the Laxmi Agarwal biopic, Deepika Padukone has also been confirmed for the fourth instalment of D.J. Caruso’s Hollywood biggie xXx: Return of Xander Cage. The film is expected to roll soon.
Mukerji parts ways with YRF’s Dhoom 4 after reported creative disagreements.
Decision said to be amicable, with Aditya Chopra and Ranbir Kapoor supportive.
Director shifts focus to Brahmastra: Part Two – Dev, expected to begin filming in 2026.
Filmmaker steps away from YRF’s action franchise
Filmmaker Ayan Mukerji has stepped away from Yash Raj Films’ (YRF) highly anticipated action project Dhoom 4, reportedly due to creative differences. According to Bollywood Hungama, Mukerji’s vision for the film did not align with the studio’s direction, prompting him to withdraw from the project.
Mukerji, who was in discussions to direct the next instalment of the hit franchise—expected to star Ranbir Kapoor—was said to have limited control over the script, which was reportedly written by Shridhar Raghavan. The director, best known for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Brahmastra, was keen on shaping the film creatively rather than simply executing an existing plan.
A source quoted in the report said, “Ayan didn’t have much say in the screenplay and didn’t want to embark on another journey of just execution.”
Amicable parting after discussions with Aditya Chopra
Before stepping away, Mukerji is believed to have held several discussions with YRF head Aditya Chopra and actor Ranbir Kapoor. Both reportedly supported his decision, with insiders describing the split as “completely amicable.”
The director’s departure does not mark the end of Dhoom 4, as YRF plans to continue with the project under a new director. The studio may also reconsider casting options, despite earlier reports that Ranbir Kapoor had set aside dates for the film.
Focus returns to the Brahmastra universe
Following his exit from Dhoom 4, Mukerji has shifted attention back to his passion project—the Brahmastra series. The filmmaker is currently developing Brahmastra: Part Two – Dev, the sequel to the 2022 fantasy epic.
The film, initially expected to begin production earlier, is now likely to go on floors in 2026. Sources suggest Mukerji intends to expand the Astraverse with more depth in storytelling, combining elements of mythology, drama, and spectacle.
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