Filmmakers are going for a mix of old and new when it comes to pairing stars in upcoming films.
Faced with the double onslaught of COVID and OTT, Bollywood needs a slew of immediate hits to reiterate its position as the nation's primary mode of entertainment. The fact is also complicated because, in the rapidly changing scenario of glamour, most of Bollywood`s established big stars no longer automatically guarantee blockbuster returns. At the same time, the new and upcoming names are too fresh to be tested.
Producers announcing projects in the post-lockdown scenario are, therefore, going for a mix of old and new when it comes to pairing stars. So, Akshay Kumar is cast with a whole new set of actresses in his upcoming films from Sara Ali Khan in Atrangi Re to Vaani Kapoor in Bell Bottom to Manushi Chhillar in Prithviraj. Deepika Padukone has been cast with Siddhant Chaturvedi in her untitled next while Katrina Kaif was signed up with Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi in Phone Bhoot. These are but just a few examples.
1. Akshay Kumar and Manushi Chhillar
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Former beauty queen Manushi Chhillar is cast as Sanyogita opposite Akshay Kumar's Prithviraj in the upcoming period drama. The 23-year-old Manushi will be seen playing the love interest of Akshay in the film directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, which is slated to hit the screens on November 5.
2. Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan
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Gen-Next star Sara Ali Khan is just three years old in the industry and is all set to star opposite superstar Akshay Kumar, who has been in Bollywood for 34 years. The two will be seen in Atrangi Re, and this will be the first time the 25-year-old actress and the 53-year-old actor will be seen sharing screen space. Atrangi Re also stars Dhanush.
3. Deepika Padukone with Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday
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Shakun Batra's upcoming and untitled film casts the seasoned superstar Deepika Padukone with Gen-Now actor Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday. Details of the film, a relationship drama, are yet to be revealed.
4. Farhan Akhtar and Mrunal Thakur
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Mrunal Thakur, 28, is paired opposite Farhan Akhtar, 47, in the upcoming sports drama Toofaan. In the film, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Farhan will be seen playing a boxer.
5. Katrina Kaif with Ishaan Khatter and Siddhant Chaturvedi
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Ishaan Khatter, 25 and Siddhant Chaturvedi, 27, join Katrina Kaif, 37, to spook the audience in their upcoming horror comedy Phone Bhoot, which can be tagged as an Indian version of sorts of Ghostbusters. This will be the first time Katrina will be seen with Ishaan and Siddhant.
