The Kapoors have always maintained that Fawad Khan is like family to them, having launched the Pakistani heartthrob in Hindi cinema with their film Khoobsurat (2014). Anil and Rhea Kapoor were keen on repeating their Khoobsurat team again with the comic caper Battle for Bittora. However, the project has been pushed on the backburner now.
Director Shashanka Ghosh, who also helmed Khoobsurat, told the Press Trust of India that the film has not been shelved but put on hold citing date issues with the actors. When the film was first offered, Sonam Kapoor was shooting for Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) and later Neerja (2016).
Buzz was that Fawad Khan had given his nod for the film, but then backed out in July last year. Khan went on to shoot for Dharma Productions’ Kapoor & Sons instead.
Ghosh said date issues prevented Khan from committing to the project. He clarified that Sonam Kapoor was very much part of the film while they were still to zero in on other actors.
Battle for Bittora is a political comedy based on the novel of the same title by Anuja Chauhan. Sonam Kapoor was to play animation expert Sarojini 'Jinni' Pande, who contests an election in Bittora opposite Zain Altaf Khan, an ex-royal. Fawad was the producer's and director’s first choice but his unavailability has forced them to look for alternatives.
After the success of Neerja (2016), Sonam Kapoor will be seen in her home production titled Veeray Di Shaadi. Meanwhile, Fawad Khan has taken up his second Dharma Productions film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, also starring Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan..