"We’ve managed to resolve that."
Farhan Akhtar’s Jee Le Zaraa was touted as one of Bollywood’s most exciting and progressive projects in recent years.
The film was announced in August 2021, with Farhan returning to the director’s chair after Don 2 (2011).
Jee Le Zaraa boasted a unique premise, in which female characters take centre stage in a film that was purported to show a road trip.
Farhan’s production company, Excel Entertainment, had previously presented films with road trips, including Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011).
However, they predominantly focused on male characters. Therefore, Jee Le Zaraa was considered to be a step forward for Indian cinema.
Not only this, the film shone with an impressive star cast, with three beloved Bollywood actresses slated to perform in the movie.
The casting of Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Katrina Kaif, and Alia Bhatt was confirmed.
However, the project never went on the floors, disappointing many fans and leading several to assume that the intriguing film was shelved.
Farhan Akhtar recently shared an exciting update about the film.
He said: “Honestly, it was quite challenging to coordinate the actors’ schedules.
“But we’ve managed to resolve that. We’ll begin shortly.
“The schedule for the film’s shooting kept getting pushed back.
“It was an incredibly tense time because I felt like I was wasting precious time, and before I realised it, two and a half years had passed.
“I also faced some personal doubts. I began to worry that people might think I was incapable of directing.
“It had been 12 years since my last directorial effort, and I feared that my abilities might be questioned.
“When you talk to a therapist about these feelings, you start to understand their origins.
“I didn’t want to say, ‘Let me just move on from this project’.”
During the course of uncertainty, Farhan had also announced Don 3, in which Ranveer Singh was cast as the titular anti-hero.
Originally, Kiara Advani was confirmed to portray the female lead. However, rumours began to circulate that Kriti Sanon had replaced the War 2 actress.
After making his directorial debut with Dil Chahta Hai, Farhan went on to helm Lakshya (2004) and the Don series, starring Shah Rukh Khan.
He has also proved his mettle as an actor in films, including Kartik Calling Kartik (2010) and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013).
For the latter, he won the 2014 Filmfare award for ‘Best Actor’.
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