A Bandra birdie chirps to say that Saif Ali Khan had done a look test for Kabir Khan’s web series, The Forgotten Army, before backing out. The show, based on Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army, has yet to take off.
Buzz is that the actor was offered a whopper for his other net series, Sacred Games on a rival streaming giant – the reason apparently he let go off Kabir’s show.
While Rajkummar Rao’s web series, Bose: Dead/Alive, has raced to the finish line and even released its trailer yesterday, Kabir Khan is still to lock in the final cast of his miniseries based on Subhash Chandra Bose. Kabir’s dilemma stems from the spot he suddenly finds himself in, after his leading man, Saif Ali Khan turned down the Amazon Prime project, given that he features in the Netflix original, Sacred Games.
Saif was set to play the role of Colonel PK Sahgal, who fought for Bose-led Indian National Army. A massive set has been erected at Mumbai’s Film City studio several months in advance. In order to abide by the plan, the crew had been informed of a shooting schedule in December, however, Kabir is yet to begin recasting. A source says, “Kabir has a packed 2018, given that he starts filming for the 1983 World Cup film, and must hence wrap this up earlier.”
The eight-part miniseries is eyeing big names for its male and female characters. Parineeti Chopra was among the top contenders for the part of Saif’s colleague-turned-wife, Lakshmi Sahgal. However, it appears that the actor will also be unable to work on the outing, given her other commitments.
lthough actors are not contractually bound to stick to one video-streaming platform at any given point in time, Saif decided to turn down Kabir’s project at the behest of Netflix. “Since Sacred Games is the channel’s first Indian series, they didn’t want to entertain any conflict of interest [on the actor’s part],” says a source.
In 2017, Saif Ali Khan is ready with back to back four films. While, Rangoon has already released, Kalakaandi, Chef, and Bazaar are ready to hit the screens soon. Saif’s Chef is going to release in October and there were rumours that his another film Baazaar was supposed to release in December.
There were reports the makers wanted to release the film on Christmas weekend, now everyone knows which film is going to release on Christmas. The Christmas weekend is always been profitable for films so, Salman Khan is coming with Tiger Zinda Hai on that weekend.
However, according to some trade analysts, Saif will never allow his films to clash with one of his close friends and superstar Salman’s film. Although both the films Baazaar and Tiger Zinda Hai are different genre films, still no one will take the risk to stand against Salman Khan.
This is to notice that John Abraham starring film Parmanu is going to release on 8th December and then 15th December week is free, so makers can think of that week for Baazaar.
Saif Ali Khan had earlier shown interest in Kabir Khan’s upcoming web series based on Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army. However, according to a report, the actor might not be a part of the series at all. Saif is currently busy with his upcoming film Kaalakaandi and has a number of projects in the pipeline, too. He is also doing a Netflix series titled Sacred Games, which is going to launch soon.
The actor is yet to finalise his involvement in multiple projects, which is keeping him from committing to Kabir’s project. Therefore, chances are he might have to ultimately drop out of the series. However, the actor and director are yet to confirm the news.
After the release of Salman Khan starrer Tubelight on June 23, director Kabir Khan is back to work. Although this time it is not for a movie – but a web series. The Forgotten Army is a project Kabir Khan has been trying to work on since his formative years as a documentary filmmaker. And as per reports, this time the project seems most likely to be realised.
For the leading man in the series, Saif Ali Khan has been approached. The actor will play the protagonist in the series which revolves around the soldiers of the Azad Hind Fauj. The Azad Hind Fauj was an armed force formed by Indian nationalists in 1942 in Southeast Asia during World War II. Its aim was to secure Indian independence from British rule. The Azad Hind Fauj was the only army in the history of wars which also had a woman fighting infantry unit, and was called the Rani of Jhansi Regiment. This means the web series will also see a strong leading woman character, for which Kabir Khan wants to rope in actress Shraddha Kapoor.
A source close to the project said “There’s a very important female character in The Forgotten Army. The Azad Hind Fauj also had the only women fighting infantry unit in the history of wars. It was called the Rani Jhansi regiment. So the female character will be leading that unit in the web series. Kabir wants a Bollywood actress for the role and the team is still working on the casting.”
Kabir Khan is keen on casting Shraddha Kapoor as he believes she is perfect for the role and the makers have also initiated talks with her team regarding the same. Next in line is Parineeti Chopra, however, Kabir wants Shraddha to essay the role.
Speaking about the series Kabir said, “For me, it’s not the story of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Everyone knows about him, but what about the soldiers in his army? What happened to them? That’s what the web series is about.” He shared that the web series will shoot for about eight episodes. He added, “It’s an epic and pans across six to eight episodes. Each episode will be around 40 minutes long so the total runtime would be almost equivalent to two feature films.”
Meanwhile, Kabir Khan’s directorial Tubelight is seeing a steep downfall in its figures. The film has made Rs. 116 cr at the box office.
Kabir Khan is all charged up to direct a web series, The Forgotten Army, which is about Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army. Kabir is keen on roping in Saif Ali Khan for the same. He says, “Saif is somebody I have been talking to, but nothing is confirmed right now. When things are meant to happen, they will happen.
Saif is one of the few well-read people in this industry who loves having intellectual conversations. My series is not about Netaji, but it’s about the soldiers who are a part of his army. If he does it, then he will be seen as a soldier,” Kabir signs off.
The actor has shown interest in Khan’s web series on Bose’s Indian National Army
Kabir Khan may have made the biggest commercial hits, but in his heart he is a documentary filmmaker, who is fascinated by war, espionage, spies and terrorism. He has played with these subjects in Kabul Express, New York, Phantom and Ek Tha Tiger. Now that Tubelight is up for release, he is gearing up for his next.
After the blockbusters, Kabir will now direct a web series for Amazon Prime Video. Says a source close to Kabir, “He has been wanting to make this subject for a long time. He has lived with this project for years as he discovered it during his days as documentary maker.” The webseries — The Forgotten Army — is about Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army. Kabir has approached his Phantom actor Saif Ali Khan for the same.
Saif Ali Khan Online 