Zoya Akhtar was asked about the delay with Jee Le Zaraa. She explained that the hold-up was due to scheduling conflicts. Read what the acclaimed director has to say
Jee Le Zaraa has been one of the most eagerly awaited movies since its official announcement in 2021. The road trip film, which boasts a star-studded cast featuring Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, and Katrina Kaif, has generated immense buzz since its disclosure. However, fans have been left in the lurch as filming keeps getting delayed. Recently, producer Zoya Akhtar shared a significant update about the movie, shedding light on the hold-up, and addressing swirling rumors about potential casting changes.
In a candid interview with The Indian Express, Zoya Akhtar delved into the details behind the delay of Jee Le Zaraa. The celebrated filmmaker explained that the primary reason for the hold-up stems from scheduling conflicts, making it tremendously challenging to synchronize the available dates of the lead actresses and the director, Farhan Akhtar. “I think aligning the three of them, their dates, and Farhan, his dates, has been the root cause,” Akhtar disclosed.
Rumors have been rife about the movie’s production status, with some reports suggesting that Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif might have dropped out of the project. A report in Filmfare even claimed that the duo had opted out of Jee Le Zaraa, and that Anushka Sharma and Kiara Advani were being considered to fill their roles. This speculation further muddled public perception, raising concerns about the movie’s future.
However, contradicting these reports, a source close to the production assured The Times of India that Katrina Kaif is indeed still part of the project. “Katrina Kaif is doing the film and one is tired of clarifying on the same. There is only a slight delay in the mounting of the film,” stated the source, emphasizing that the project’s progression is merely experiencing a temporary setback.
Bollywood Hungama has also supported the narrative of the delays being tied to scheduling issues. According to their report, Priyanka Chopra had struggles aligning her Hollywood commitments for a 2023 shoot, resulting in her approaching Farhan Akhtar with a request to push filming to 2024.
. While Farhan Akhtar was agreeable to this shift, it presented another conflict with Alia Bhatt’s schedule, as she is already committed to projects like Ramayana and Baiju Bawra in 2024, which are set to be taxing.
“When nothing fell into place, Farhan decided to delay the film until the right time,” a source told Bollywood Hungama, highlighting the intricate dance of coordinating availability among high-profile actors.
Further enriching the convoluted picture, Pinkvilla provided an update confirming that Jee Le Zaraa had been rescheduled. The publication remarked, “Jee Le Zara is a film close to the hearts of Farhan, Zoya, and everyone at Excel Entertainment. Despite repeated attempts to jump-start the film, things are falling through due to date issues. Even Farhan Akhtar is completely cooperating with the leads and not pressuring anybody.” The report hinted at possible changes in the casting, suggesting that the original trio might not remain intact by the time filming commences.
The road to bringing Jee Le Zaraa to the silver screen has indeed been rockier than anticipated. The immense enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding the film are palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting every update. Yet, the chronic scheduling conflicts appear to be the villain in this unfolding drama.
As matters stand, it seems the film’s fate will hang in balance until all the principal actors can align their schedules. Whether this delay will test the patience of its eager fandom remains to be seen. Will the current rumors about Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif opting out prove true? Will Anushka Sharma and Kiara Advani indeed take up the mantle? Only time will unravel these uncertainties.
In the end, Zoya Akhtar remains optimistic about Jee Le Zaraa, assuring that every effort is being made to ensure the project comes to life. The commitment from the producers and actors involved is a testament to the film’s potential and the dedication behind it. One thing is certain—the journey to make this road trip film is full of unforeseen detours, but the destination promises to be worth the wait.
