With Jayeshbhai Jordaar now arriving in October, Vicky Kaushal's Sardar Udham Singh moves to 2021

The coronavirus pandemic has set the cat among the pigeons as far as Hindi film releases are concerned. The release date for the Vicky Kaushal-led film Sardar Udham Singh has now been moved to 15 January 2021. The film was initially scheduled for release on 2 October 2020.

The announcement was made by the production house, Rising Sun Films, and Kaushal on social media. In its statement, the production house said, 'On March 13th 1940, #SardarUdham singlehandedly assassinated Michael O'Dwyer in London to honour the lives lost at the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. His story deserves justice onscreen too. Starring Vicky Kaushal, we will now see you in cinemas on 15th January 2021! (sic)' 

Based on the life of the freedom fighter Sardar Udham Singh, the film is being directed by Shoojit Sircar and features Kaushal in the role of the patriot who assassinated Sir Michael O'Dwyer, lieutenant governor of Punjab at the time of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, in London in 1940. O'Dwyer had endorsed the action of brigadier general REH Dyer in opening fire on a peaceful gathering at the park.

Filming for Sardar Udham Singh began in April last year and the last schedule was wrapped up in December, after which the film's release date was set for 2 October. However, recent events have forced the makers to postpone the release to 15 January 2021. 

The decision seems to be the fallout of an announcement by Yash Raj Films to release the Ranveer Singh-led Jayeshbhai Jordaar on 2 October. The decision was taken to prevent a clash with the Excel Entertainment venture, Toofan, which will now be released on 18 September.

All the film releases are being moved because of the domino effect set in motion by the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic. The rising number of patients with the infection has resulted in several states issuing advisories to shut down cinema halls, malls, and educational institutions.

Rohit Shetty's Sooryavanshi and Rohena Gera's Sir are among the films that have already been delayed indefinitely. And reports suggest Kabir Khan's 83 might follow suit. The film based on India's first cricket World Cup win was initially slated for release on 10 April. But with the trailer launch delayed, and a viral epidemic on, the producers might just decide to postpone the film's release.

Meanwhile, Vicky Kaushal is set to begin work on Aditya Dhar's superhero fantasy film, Immortal Ashwatthama, as well as the biopic of Sam Manekshaw by Meghna Gulzar.