The big news this week continues to be the Meghna Gulzar directorial Raazi, starring Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal in principal characters. The espionage drama, which rolled into theatres on 11th May, pulled in ₹ 7.53 crores on its opening day. The movie surged massively on its second day and clocked a humongous ₹ 11.30 crores at the cash counter, taking his domestic two-day collection to a stupendous ₹ 18.83 crores, a box office triumph uncommon for a women-centric film.
Sharing the collection of the film on Twitter, well-known film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh wrote, "#Raazi continues its SPLENDID RUN... Witnesses 50.07% growth on Sat... The SUPER-STRONG word of mouth is translating into SUPER-SOLID biz... Expected to collect ₹ 31 cr+ in its opening weekend... Fri 7.53 cr, Sat 11.30 cr. Total: ₹ 18.83 cr. India biz."
The excellent word of mouth has ensured that Raazi remains the most favourite pick of the audience over the weekend. After minting ₹ 18.83 crores in two days, the movie is expected to soar further on Sunday and garner at least ₹ 12 crores. The flick is looking forward to closing out its first weekend with a fantastic collection of approximately ₹ 31-32 crores.
Raazi, helmed by Meghna Gulzar, is bankrolled by Karan Johar under the banner of Dharma Production, and Junglee Pictures.
Dakota Johnson steps behind the camera for her first feature film
Charli XCX and Jessica Alba in talks for lead roles
Vanessa Burghardt pens script and may appear on screen
Filming starts next month in Los Angeles with a £10m (₹1.38 billion) budget
Drama follows an autistic teen seeking independence after high school
Dakota Johnson is stepping into direction with A Tree Is Blue, a coming-of-age drama attracting attention for its ensemble. Charli XCX and Jessica Alba are reportedly joining the cast. Burghardt, Johnson’s Cha Cha Real Smooth co-star, wrote it and could take a part. Production begins next month in Los Angeles under a £10m (₹1.38 billion) budget, funded by Rivulet.
'A Tree Is Blue' will mark Dakota Johnson’s directorial debut with Charli XCX and Jessica Alba starring in a teen coming-of-age story Getty Images
Why A Tree Is Blue matters for Dakota Johnson
Johnson, who has acted in The Materialists and produced Splitsville, has been quietly preparing to move behind the camera. She previously directed the short Loser Baby, which premiered at TIFF last year. A Tree Is Blue is her leap into full-length features, produced under her TeaTime Pictures banner alongside Ro Donnelly and Sam Racanelli. Rob Paris and Mike Witherill are producing for Rivulet, with Hyunji Ward and Rick Steele executive producing.
“It’s really close to my heart,” Johnson said at Karlovy Vary, hinting at the project last summer. “Vanessa played my daughter in Cha Cha Real Smooth. She’s incredible and the story deserves care.”
Dakota Johnson directs A Tree Is Blue as Charli XCX and Jessica Alba join a story about autism and freedomGetty Images
What is the story about?
The film follows a teen on the autism spectrum seeking independence. Burghardt wrote the script from her own experience. It’s a story about independence, friendship, and some summer mayhem.
How Charli XCX and Jessica Alba fit in
Charli XCX has been exploring acting alongside her music, appearing in Faces of Death, I Want Your Sex, and A24’s The Moment. She’s also been working on film scores. Alba, meanwhile, has Netflix’s Trigger Warning behind her and is set to appear with Anthony Hopkins, Andy Garcia, and Al Pacino in Maserati: The Brothers.
Charli XCX and Jessica Alba sign on for Dakota Johnson’s first feature A Tree Is Blue about teenage independenceGetty Images
When and where filming starts
The main filming phase begins in November in Los Angeles. CAA Media Finance is handling sales, with California tax credits of £2.4m (₹275m) helping keep costs low. Hard not to notice the mix of fresh talent and seasoned actors, it already feels like a project that could quietly make waves. Representation is sorted for Johnson, Burghardt, Charli XCX, and Alba, with CAA, UTA, and other agencies confirming talks. Small-scale, carefully assembled, but it has a certain weight already.
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