Farhan Akhtar wants young blood for comedy

Director-actor, along with partner Ritesh Sidhwani, wants to cast newcomers as established stars don’t fit the bill.

They have worked with the who’s who of Bollywood, including Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Shah Rukh Khan. But we have learnt that Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani will cast newbies for the first time in their yet-untitled upcoming venture.

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Farhan and Ritesh’s Excel Entertainment will make a comedy next and they want to rope in newcomers for the same. “They will also go in for a nationwide talent hunt. Right now, they are finalising details on to how to take things forward,” says an insider close to the film.

As for the director, Farhan and Ritesh are toying with a couple of names. “Since Farhan has been busy with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, they are yet to sit down and take a final call,” adds the insider.

The film, in all probability, will kick off around the same time that Talaash releases. The Aamir Khan-starrer is scheduled to hit theatres in November.

It’s interesting to note that in the last 10 years, Excel has cast only top names from Bollywood for films like Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Lakshya (2004), Luck By Chance (2009), Don series and the forthcoming Talaash

When contacted, Ritesh confirms the news without getting into details, but his company’s spokesperson is more forthcoming: “Yes, we are making a comedy with new actors, but it’s too early to get into other details. In a few weeks, more information will be available.”