On September 2, 2002, Madhura Pandit Jasraj revived her father's banner V Shantaram Films. Hum Saaya-TheShadow was launched, followed by a five-day schedule in Mumbai.
But soon after, a squabble between Jasraj and her brother, Kiran Shantaram over the use of the banner name, resulted
in a court order being obtained, and shooting ground to a halt.
Six years later, United Indian Films is green-lighting the project again.
Writer and director Kanwal Sharma who has been in talks with the UK-based corporate which is entering Bollywood with this thriller, is understandably excited by the developments.Shooting will start in October, in Mumbai, once the rains are over. After that the unit will move abroad for a prolonged spell.
The cast hasn't changed. It's going to be Dino Morea, Shilpa Shetty and Om Puri. Sharma is also in talks with a senior actor for a significant role.While he refuses to divulge names till he has a conformation, sources say that one of the actors in consideration is Amitabh Bachchan, who had sounded the muhurat clap.
Sharma admits that Shetty was one reason for the UK based company's interest in the project. "Shilpa has been excited
by the script from day one and had been very cooperative with dates earlier.
"It was because of her that the film took off in the first place. And even now, she continues to be the big draw, more
so after her Big Brother win," he asserts. Priceless Shetty ask him if she's been re-negotiating her price and he says, "I
don't see any harm in paying a star more if I can sell my film for a higher price. If Shilpa's market value has gone up,
why crib when it can only bring me better returns?" he argues.
"It was because of her that the film took off in the first place. And even now, she continues to be the big draw, more
so after her Big Brother win," he asserts. Priceless Shetty ask him if she's been re-negotiating her price and he says, "I
don't see any harm in paying a star more if I can sell my film for a higher price. If Shilpa's market value has gone up,
why crib when it can only bring me better returns?" he argues.
Shetty may be a big name today but Morea is not really saleable. Sharma however insists that the thought of replacing
him hasn't crossed his mind even once: "We all go through good times, bad times and sad times. Dino's a sweet guy
and he needs just that one miracle. May be, this will be it."