Riteish Deshmukh turns director with Ved as wife Genelia makes her Marathi debut

After venturing into production with films like Balak Palak (2013), Lai Bhari (2014) and Faster Fene (2017), actor Riteish Deshmukh is now set to turn director with the upcoming Marathi movie Ved (2022).

Deshmukh took to Instagram to share the news along with the title poster for the film. He wrote, "After being in front of the camera for 20 years, I take a big leap to stand behind it for the first time. As I direct my first Marathi film, I humbly ask you all for your good wishes and blessings. Be a part of this journey, be a part of this madness. वेड (Madness) (sic)."

Deshmukh dons not one but three hats for this film, as he will be also acting in the movie and producing it under his banner Mumbai Film Company.

His wife, actress Genelia Deshmukh, will also make her debut in Marathi cinema under her husband's direction. She will be playing what is described cryptically as a special role.

Genelia has featured in songs in Riteish's previous Marathi movies, but this is the first time she will be seen playing a full-fledged role in a Marathi movie.

Genelia also took to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes video from the muhurth (inaugural) shot.

The film will also mark the Marathi debut of actress Jiya Shankar, who has so far been seen in a few Hindi television soap operas.

Ved will have music by Riteish's frequent collaborator, Ajay-Atul. The shooting of the film has just begun and it is scheduled to be released in cinemas on 12 August 2022, which means it will clash with two of the most anticipated Hindi films — Akshay Kumar-starrer Rakshabandhan and Prabhas's Adipurush, both of which are scheduled to be released on 11 August 2022.