Always knew Jagga Jasoos will take time: Now Anurag Basu clears the air

Director Anurag Basu talks about the ‘delay’ of Jagga Jasoos, says Ranbir and Katrina gave dates in 2015 but he didn’t shoot as he doesn’t like to sit on material that has been shot.

Ever since Anurag Basu’s upcoming project, Jagga Jasoos (JJ), was announced, there have been several rumours surrounding the film. While the movie’s delayed release has been much talked about, the breakup of the lead pair, Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, added to the controversies. But the director says he always knew the film will take time to get to the theatres.

Talking about the ‘delay’ of Jagga Jasoos, director Anurag Basu says, Ranbir and Katrina gave dates in 2015 but he didn’t shoot as he doesn’t like to sit on material that has been shot.

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The movie, which is a co-production of Anurag and Ranbir, was announced in 2014. Ranbir and Katrina, who were in a relationship back then, shot for it intermittently. Initially, it was speculated that Ranbir got busy shooting for Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet (2015), and could shoot for JJ only in 2015, which resulted in the film’s delay. However, Anurag explains that the plan always was to release JJ post Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (ADHM).

“I shot JJ in 2015 for 15 days. I didn’t shoot most of 2015 even though Ranbir and Katrina gave their dates to me. I knew (back then) that my film would release post Karan’s film. I don’t like to sit on material (that has been shot). I don’t clarify and don’t talk (about my projects). I like to release my movies as soon as possible after they are shot,” says the director.

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif in a still from Jaaga Jasoos.

Anurag also reveals that he knew that Karan was in talks with Ranibir for his next directorial since the actor was shooting for Barfi (2012). “Directors and producers talk to stars, and plan their projects for the next couple of years. Like Ayan (Mukherji) has been working on his superhero film since two years. They (Ayan and Ranbir) have a slot in their minds of when they want to release their film. Such planning isn’t a novel thing in the industry,” he adds.

Furthermore, while JJ is now expected to release early next year, there are already talks of making a sequel to the film.