In a big announcement, Sony Pictures International has signed up four filmmakers, Umesh Shukla, Sajid Samji, Sabbir Khan and Sashi Kiran Tikka, for four upcoming projects. The announcement was shared by veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh.
Adarsh tweeted, “Official. Sony Pictures International collaborates with directors Umesh Shukla (102 Not Out), Sabbir Khan (Baaghi), Sajid Samji (HouseFull 3) and Sashi Kiran Tikka (Telugu film Goodachari) for forthcoming films. Slated to begin production shortly.”
The banner hasn’t announced the names of any of the four films to be made by these filmmakers. But each has been given a specific genre. Shukla, Khan, Tikka and Samji will be helming a family comedy, action entertainer, biopic thriller and fun caper, respectively.
Umesh Shukla has made his mark with films like OMG: Oh My God! (2012) and 102 Not Out (2018). He also directed the web-series Modi: Journey Of A Common Man, on the life of prime minister Narendra Modi.
Khan had directed the Tiger Shroff- and Shraddha Kapoor-starrer Baaghi (2016). He was replaced by Ahmed Khan for the second and third films in the popular franchise.
Meanwhile, Sashi Kiran Tikka has one film under his belt, the Telugu spy thriller Goodachari (2018), which starred Adivi Sesh and Sobhita Dhulipala.
Sajid has written and directed films like It's Entertainment (2014) and Housefull 3 (2016) with brother Farhad Samji. The two have gone their separate ways since. Farhad is directing Housefull 4 (2019) while this upcoming fun caper will be Sajid's first solo film as director.