Director Nagraj Manjule, of Sairat (2016) fame, is working on his first Hindi film, titled Jhund. The film was earlier said to have hit a road block after news of actor Amitabh Bachchan opting out of the project surfaced. However, according to the latest news, not only has Bachchan returned to the project, but the film now also has T-Series coming on board as the producer.
T-Series announced the development on Twitter.
“#BhushanKumar to produce #Jhund, starring @SrBachchan in the role of a retired sports teacher who starts a slum soccer movement. Directed by Nagraj Manjule. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Savita Raj, Raaj Hiremath & Nagraj Manjule,” the tweet read.
Kumar will produce the film with Manjule and Savita Raaj Hiremath. The film is based on the life of Vijay Barse, the founder of Slum Soccer. Bachchan will play the character of Barse, a retired sports teacher.
"I am really glad that the project will take off soon. I am happy to get an opportunity to work with Amitji again, I am looking forward to working with him. When Savita Raj Hiremath got the script to me and I saw Nagraj’s dedication to the subject made me want to produce the film. The subject is very good and I am excited for the film to go on floors," Kumar told Mumbai Mirror, a tabloid.
Co-producer Hiremath said in a statement, "I am very thankful to Mr Amitabh Bachchan for graciously being part of the film. Our visionary partner Bhushan Kumar who has been delivering content driven cinema is equally passionate making a great team with the iconic director Nagraj Manjule."
Commenting on the film and its subject, Hiremath said, “I was thinking of starting my next Bollywood [Hindi film] venture and was looking for an emotional and relevant subject which would connect with the masses and channelize today’s youth into positive energy. Since last three years I have been looking for such subjects and one of them is a biopic of Vijay Barse who promoted Slum Soccer in India and showcased Indian talent to the world. Jhund is the slum soccer film which shows that there is a Hero in all of us.. and it’s only a matter of opportunity life gives you."
“I come from a humble background and I always wanted to give something back to the society. So, in the year 2001, when I was teaching in Hislop College and was earning a decent salary, I introduced a football tournament with no rules, for slum children in order to give them a new direction. Today, our teams represent India internationally but I never thought that this important aspect of my life will make for an interesting subject for films,” Barse had told Mumbai Mirror last year.
The film was initially slated to be released in 2017. New dates have not been announced yet.