Anurag Kashyap’s much delayed project, Bombay Velvet, is now ready to roll. In 2010, this film made headlines after media speculated that it was Kashyap who might be able to bring together two of the biggest stars in the country, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, with this unique project. Unfortunately that didn’t materialize, and then we heard that Aamir Khan seemed to be finalized for the film together with John Abraham again. Aamir Khan eventually stepped out of the project as well and Anurag had to start looking for another leading man.
After lots of speculation, yesterday it was announced that the lead roll in Bombay Velvet will be played by none other than Ranbir Kapoor, who has been winning accolades for his top-notch performance in Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar. One cannot deny that Ranbir is now one of the most sought after names among filmmakers and one would think he chooses his projects carefully. According to Ranbir though, he not really has a process in selecting his work.
“There is no process in selecting the kind of work I do. I’m fortunate to be working with some of the best filmmakers. The script of Bombay Velvet just fell into my lap. I read it and I knew immediately that I wanted to be part of Anurag’s grand vision, his innovative storytelling, his movie-making process; everything that he does so perfectly.”
Kapoor cannot reveal anything about the role or the project as it is too early for him to talk about it. “All I can say is that I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to work with Anurag.”
Bombay Velvet tells the story of how the city Bombay became a metropolis, and is set against the backdrop of love, greed, violence and jazz. It will recreate the city in its glory, from the 50s to early the 70s, and is all set to go on floors in October. The film is based on historian Gyan Prakash’s “Mumbai Fables”, and written for the screen by Gyan Prakash, S Thanikachalam, Vasan Bala and Anurag Kashyap. The much sought-after Amit Trivedi will provide music for the film, including a few original Hindi jazz tracks, which will be created in a New Orleans’ studio.
“Bombay Velvet is my first film in the trilogy set against Bombay, the city, before it became a metropolis. It’s a story that’s always fascinated me, and we have been developing it for about four years. I am very excited that now, it’s fully ready, and we begin shooting this year”, says director Anurag Kashyap.
