In an exciting development for fans of high-octane thrillers, it appears that plans for finalizing the cast of Race 4 are moving at a brisk pace, aptly reflecting the film’s action-packed theme. According to recent reports, producer Ramesh Taurani is in advanced negotiations with actor Sidharth Malhotra to join Saif Ali Khan in the much-anticipated fourth installment of the Race franchise.
Fans will remember Saif Ali Khan as the consistent face of the Race series, appearing in both the original film in 2008 and its sequel in 2013. The big news now is that these veteran talents will potentially be joined by Sidharth Malhotra, known for his roles in high-energy films like “Yodha.” Malhotra, who has openly expressed his admiration for the Race series, seems eager to dive into the labyrinthine plotlines and adrenaline-fueled sequences that Taurani’s writing team is currently developing.
For the uninitiated, the Race franchise is known for its intricate plots, filled with duplicity, strategic maneuvers, and a climactic showdown between its primary characters. The first film pitted Saif Ali Khan against Akshaye Khanna, the second saw Saif clash with John Abraham, and the third brought Salman Khan and Bobby Deol into the mix. Following this trend, the upcoming installment will feature both Saif and Sidharth in complex roles with shades of grey—each character driven by self-interest and cunning.
Race 4 promises to bring fresh energy to the franchise by incorporating novel twists and a fresh narrative approach. Ramesh Taurani aims to kick off filming by mid-2025, should everything fall into place as planned. However, one lingering question remains unanswered: whether Anil Kapoor, who played an instrumental role in the previous movies, will return to mediate the conflict between the protagonists remains uncertain.
In other exciting Bollywood news, buzz from B-Town suggests that Akshay Kumar and Jacqueline Fernandez are preparing to team up once again. The pair, who have previously worked on multiple projects together, including the recent “Welcome to the Jungle,” are set to reunite for Sajid Nadiadwala’s comedic venture, Housefull 5. Both actors have been staples of the Housefull series since its inception. Jacqueline’s involvement started with a song in the 2010 original, expanded to a full role in the sequel opposite John Abraham in 2012, and continued in the 2016 film where she starred alongside Akshay.
The comedic duo has a long history of collaboration, having graced the silver screen together in “Brothers” (2015), “Bachchhan Paandey” (2021), and “Ram Setu” (2022).
. Tarun Mansukhani will direct Housefull 5, assembling a star-studded cast that includes Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, and Nana Patekar. Filming is scheduled to commence soon with an intensive 45-day stint aboard a cruise liner, promising a fresh and intriguing setting for the comedy franchise.
On a different note, the future of an eagerly awaited biopic appears uncertain. Director Luv Ranjan has been working on bringing a biographical film on former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly to the big screen for the past couple of years. Initially, the project had roped in Ayushmann Khurrana to depict the iconic cricketer, and Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth was set to direct. However, things took a turn when Aishwaryaa parted ways with the project, and Vikramaditya Motwane was then brought on board to helm the film.
Despite these changes, the production seems to have hit a snag. Sources suggest that Khurrana has exited the project, citing the oversaturation of biopics in recent times and his demanding schedule. The actor has reportedly pulled out of several other high-profile projects, including Border 2 and an upcoming film by Meghna Gulzar. In the latter, Khurrana was reluctant to play a secondary role to Sunny Deol, and his schedule for filming clashed with his U.S. tour dates.
For the moment, Khurrana has other commitments lined up, including a spy comedy backed by Karan Johar and Guneet Monga Kapoor, as well as a vampire comedy under the direction of Dinesh Vijan. With this reshuffling, it remains to be seen how Luv Ranjan’s biopic on Sourav Ganguly will move forward.
As Bollywood continues to buzz with these exciting developments, all eyes are on Ramesh Taurani and Sidharth Malhotra, eagerly awaiting the next steps for Race 4, a film that promises to be packed with intrigue, action, and unexpected turns.
