Shashank Khaitan on how he tweaked Varun’s Lele to Vicky’s Govinda

Updated On: 08 December, 2022 07:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Hiren Kotwani

Director Khaitan says he changed the background and ‘over 40 per cent’ of Mr Lele’s premise to make the crime comedy, Govinda Naam Mera

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A still from Govinda Naam Mera

One look at the trailer of Govinda Naam Mera tells you that it’s a masala comedy designed to appeal to the masses. Yet, the Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar and Kiara Advani-starrer — initially planned as a theatrical offering — is set to première on Disney+ Hotstar this weekend. What led to the change of plans, especially at a time when films like Drishyam 2 and Bhediya have ended Bollywood’s dry spell? Director Shashank Khaitan explains, “The film was written in the first lockdown, shot in the second and was ready [in early 2022]. But at the time, films that were clear favourites [tanked] at the box office. What you’re seeing today is the [result] of decisions taken much earlier.”

After the Dulhaniya franchise, Varun Dhawan (right) was to reunite with Khaitan on Mr Lele