Category: actors
EXCLUSIVE: Vicky Kaushal-starrer Mahavatar to go on floors in mid-2026; Amar Kaushik shares EXCITING details: “The prep is going on for 6-7 months. Mujhe toh soch ke hi darr lag raha hai”
Before the audience sat down to watch the grand Diwali release, Thamma, they were treated to a 60-second-long announcement promo for Shakti Shalini. The teaser confirmed that Aneet Padda would play the lead and also that it would be out on December 24, 2026. This was the date that was earlier booked for Mahavatar, starring Vicky Kaushal, directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Maddock Films. Maddock is also the producer of Thamma with Amar serving as one of its producers and mentors. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Amar opened up on Mahavatar and why it is his most ambitious film to date. When asked if Mahavatar has been postponed, Amar Kaushik replied, “Yes. The prep is going on for 6-7 months. Mujhe toh soch ke hi darr lag raha hai. We have worked on the set design, weapon design, how every character would look, etc. The scripting is done. Yet, we need more time. Vicky will finish his other commitments and after that, he’ll also start his preparation. Hence, we hope to go on floors by mid-next year.”Amar Kaushaik continued, “For me, it is a huge passion project. When I was in school in Arunachal Pradesh, there used to be a Parshuram Kund close by. I used to ask my mother who Parshuram was but I was told not to talk much about it. I was only told that he was quite hot-tempered. Hence, I was quite fascinated by the character. When I read about it later in life, I was wowed and kept wondering, ‘Will I ever be able to make a film on this subject?’. Now, I have reached a stage where I have an understanding and experience of using VFX. That gave me the confidence to pull it off.”The timing is apt as Amar has just delivered Stree 2 (2024), the highest Bollywood grosser of all time. Did that also give confidence to Dinesh Vijan to entrust such a big responsibility to Amar Kaushik? Amar answered, “Yes, that always happens. If you haven’t proved yourself, why would anyone entrust you with such responsibility? Agar aapke bade sapne hai, toh chhote sapne toh poore karo pehle (smiles). In fact, I wouldn’t have taken up the film earlier in my career. Mujhe toh abhi bhi darr lag raha hai!”Also Read: BREAKING! Vicky Kaushal to play Chiranjeevi Parashurama in Amar Kaushik’s Mahavatar, first look posters out; film to hit cinemas on Christmas 2026.
EXCLUSIVE: Amar Kaushik reveals why Bhediya looks ‘bigger and khunkhar’ in Thamma: “Our universe is expanding; we needed to give him more powers”; admits Varun Dhawan is “putting PRESSURE” for Bhediya 2: “But we have to be excited about the script…”
One of the highlights of the grand Diwali release Thamma is the special appearance by Bhediya, played by Varun Dhawan. He has become a crowd favourite; his entry got a rousing reception in Stree 2, where he also had a cameo, and Thamma was no exception. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Amar Kaushik opened up on Bhediya. Was the intention to take a different route for Bhediya’s cameo compared to the one he had in Stree 2? Amar Kaushik replied, “Yes. When we made Bhediya (2022), we could have made him bigger and stronger. But we had seen that a lot in the films of the West and I didn’t want to repeat it. Also, it didn’t fascinate me then. Our story was about animals saving the forest and hence, Bhediya should be like any other creature.”He continued, “Now that the universe is expanding, Bhediya can’t remain just another beast. There was a need to give him more powers. Once he gets powers, what happens? We mulled over it and finally decided to make him bigger and more khunkhar. Even he’s shocked to see himself in the mirror in that avatar, as evident by the scene in the apparel shop. But it works well as it sets the rivalry between Bhediya and Betaal. Hence, this is how we established a chain of events Jana (Abhishek Banerjee) meeting Elvis Karim Prabhakar (Sathyaraj), Alok (Ayushmann Khurrana) coming there at the same time and Elvis informing Jana about Alok is a Betaal.”How did Varun react to the bigger Bhediya avatar? Amar Kaushik said, “He’s very happy and putting pressure on me to make Bhediya 2 soon!”And rightly so! After seeing Bhediya in a cameo in Munjya, Stree 2 and Thamma, there’s now a demand to have him in a full-fledged role. When asked about its update, Amar Kaushik explained, “We can’t make it unless we are excited with the script, and only then can we take things forward. However, I assure you that it won’t take much time now.”Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Shakti Shalini goes on floors in January 2026; Amar Kaushik explains how Aneet Padda came on board, “We saw Saiyaara and knew that she perfectly.”.
Lakshya joins Tiger and Janhvi in ‘Lag Jaa Gale’
The upcoming Bollywood action romance Lag Jaa Gale has already generated buzz by bringing together Tiger Shroff and Janhvi Kapoor for the first time on screen.
The New York Times
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