On the completion of 20 years of its founding, Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar's production house, Excel Entertainment, has announced an addition to its roster, Jee Le Zaraa.
The ensemble film will mark the return of Farhan Akhtar to the director's chair while featuring the trio of Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in the lead.
Did someone say road trip?
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) August 10, 2021
Thrilled to announce my next film as director and what better day than 20 years of Dil Chahta Hai to do it. #JeeLeZaraa with @priyankachopra #KatrinaKaif @aliaa08 will commence filming in 2022 and I cannot wait to get this show on the road. 😊❤️ pic.twitter.com/Ycg5tRnEeF
Jee Le Zaraa is the latest addition to the production house's roster which has a diverse variety of projects, including action thrillers, comedies and web-series. The production house has announced Yudhra, featuring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Malavika Mohanan, in February this year. Directed by Ravi Udayawar, the film is expected to go on the floors next month.
The production house is also backing the third film in Mrighdeep Singh Lamba's comedy franchise, Fukrey. The film will mark the reunion of the trio of Ali Fazal, Varun Sharma and Manjot Singh and shooting is likely to begin next year.
20 years of Dil Chahta Hai: The landmark film for every urban Indian millennial
In a conversation with Cinestaan.com in January, actress Richa Chadha had revealed that the makers plan to begin the schedule in April 2021, with a release in 2022. However, the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have put paid to that plan. According to Variety.com, Excel Entertainment is now looking at a shooting schedule in 2022 for the film.
In addition to these two, a report in Variety.com also said the production house is backing Ashutosh Gowariker's Pukar, an adventure drama which will go on the floors in November 2021. While this has not been confirmed by the production house or Gowariker's home production, there are suggestions that the action adventure will also feature Farhan Akhtar in a key role.
On the digital front, Excel Entertainment is backing Reema Kagti's digital debut, Fallen, which features Sonakshi Sinha, Vijay Varma and Gulshan Devaiah and will go on Amazon Prime Video. Excel's collaboration with Amazon Prime includes the second season of the Emmy-nominated Made In Heaven as well as the second season of Mirzapur.
There are plans for a third season of the popular Inside Edge series for the same platform. In addition, the platform will host Excel's adaptation of S Hussain Zaidi's Dongri To Dubai, directed by Shujaat Saudagar.
According to Variety.com, the company has also signed on with Netflix for Indian adaptations of Eternally Confused and Eager for Love, as well as Queen of the Hill. The adaptation of Eternally Confused and Eager for Love will reportedly feature Rahul Bose, Suchitra Pillai and Vihaan Samant in key roles.