Anurag Basu's untitled film sets up clash with Kangana Ranaut's Panga on 24 January 2020

Filmmaker Anurag Basu's untitled ensemble drama is set for a January 2020 release. The makers of the film made the announcement today, suggesting the makers have finalised the release on 24 January 2020. The date sets the film up for a clash between Basu and his protege, Kangana Ranaut whose Panga is also scheduled for release on 24 January. 

Basu's film is reported to be a darkly comic ensemble along the lines of his hit Life...In A Metro (2007). Early reports had stated that the film might be a sequel to the immensely popular 2007 film, however, Basu refuted the story. 

In January this year, Rajkummar Rao and Fatima Sana Shaikh shared pictures of their characters from the film. The film will also feature Abhishek Bachchan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Roy Kapur and Sanya Malhotra in key roles.  

The film, untitled as of now, is an anthology of four different stories featuring an ensemble cast set in different metros. The filmmaker began shooting in 2018 with Abhishek Bachchan in Mumbai and Kolkata, as well as shooting with Rajkummar and Shaikh in Bhopal this year. 

The January release date of the film sets it up for a clash with Panga, directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. The latter film features Kangana Ranaut, who was set to be reunited with Basu on Imali. However, the actress dropped out of the project to focus on Panga, and her own upcoming directorial venture. 

Ranaut also made her debut in the film industry with Basu's Gangster (2006). 

Basu's untitled anthology will be produced by himself, Bhushan Kumar, Tani Somarita Basu and Krishan Kumar.