Reports suggest that Mukerji's film has been pegged around the budget of Rs120 crores.
Our Correspondent
It looks like the box office debacle of Jagga Jasoos has hit Ranbir Kapoor's future projects as well. Reports are emerging that Karan Johar's Dharma Productions has ordered director Ayan Mukerji to scale down the budget of his upcoming film with Ranbir Kapoor, Dragon.
The website, BollywoodHungama, reported that Johar has ordered Mukerji to halve the original budget of the superhero film, which is scheduled to go on floors by the end of 2017.
The fantasy superhero drama features the pair of Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, and will also see Amitabh Bachchan in a pivotal role. The report quoted a source saying, "Karan gave Ayan Mukerji a choice. Either take a budgetary cut or shut down the film. It hasn’t been a good phase for Ranbir Kapoor. And the last thing that Karan Johar wants on his hands is another Jagga Jasoos."
Jagga Jasoos, directed by Anurag Basu, proved to be a major loss for Kapoor's production house, Picture Shuru Entertainment. Reportedly made at a budget of Rs100 crores, the film only managed to touch Rs48.77 crore on its second weekend. The film also earned its share of controversy with actor Rishi Kapoor slamming Basu for being an 'irresponsible director'.
Rishi Kapoor wanted to beat up Jagga Jasoos director, Basu has no comments
As of current reports, Mukerji's film has been pegged around the budget of Rs120 crores. With major star vehicles like Jab Harry Met Sejal, Jagga Jasoos, and Tubelight proving flops at the box office this year, the move to cut down the film's budget seems a cautionary tale. It also puts the plan of making a 3 film franchise on Dragon into doubt.
There are suggestions that Mukerji's plans to hire Hollywood technicians and stuntsmen for the film might be dropped following this order.
