Filmmaker Nikhil Advani will have to walk it alone for his next production Bazaar as Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures decided not to tie up with the project. As of now, Bazaar will be solely produced by Advani’s Emmay Entertainment.
Confirming the same, Madhu Bhojwani, producer and spokesperson, Emmay Entertainment said in a statement, "Baazaar has been developed and is on track to commence shooting in May 2017. The film will shortly be formally announced with its full cast which includes the introduction of a newcomer. While Balaji had an option on the film, we have amicably decided to proceed on our own. We have the utmost respect for Ekta and her team and their achievements as TV producers as well as makers of some stellar films in our times. Undoubtedly the right opportunity may match us better in the future."
It is said Bazaar is centered around the stock market. The film has taken a long time to materialse mainly because Advani had not been able to sign his first-choice actors. Advani was earlier said to be wooing Hrithik Roshan for the lead role. After Roshan declined, Advani reportedly approached Akshay Kumar, but in vain.
In January this year, The Times Of India newspaper had reported that Advani was considering Saif Ali Khan or Sanjay Dutt as one of his two heroes. Dutt picked Omung Kumar’s Bhoomi. There were also rumours of Arjun Kapoor playing the leading role.
As Bhojwani mentioned, the cast is finalised with a newcomer on board, thus Bazaar may not have the celebrated names that were once being chased for the project.