Katrina Kaif’s mighty standing in the industry has ensured that even veteran Hema Malini has taken notice of that. She has quietly moved away from competition by refusing to pitch her daughter Esha’s TELL ME OKKHUDA opposite MERE BROTHER KI DULHAN. Though earlier plans were for both these films to clash on 9th September, TELL ME O KKHUDA will now arrive three weeks later while MERE BROTHER KI DULHAN will keep its date.
“You can’t ignore the kind of pull that Katrina has been enjoying continuously for over half a decade now. It would have been foolhardy for anyone to take her heads on when everything she touches turns into gold. Though it was earlier thought that Esha could take her on due to all the hype surrounding her comeback, the plans were dropped just at the same time when Katrina’s ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA turned into such a huge success. It isn’t a mere coincidence but appears to be a well thought of decision,’ says a trade source who didn’t wish to be named.
This would mean yet another postponement for TELL ME O KKHUDA that has been marred in controversies and delays ever since its launch close to two years ago. While the film’s marathon shoot spread continents was a challenge enough, the biggest setback was the tussle between Hema Malini and Mayur Puri, the film’s director. Resultantly Mayur was asked to leave a year ago, even as the director claimed that the film was already over 90% complete.
“Ever since then Hema ji has been trying to bring it all together and make TELL ME O KKHUDA a cohesive movie watching experience,” says a source, “There have been quite a few re-shoots but she has been motivating her bunch of young actors like Arjan Bajwa and Chandan Roy Sanyal that the film would see the light of the day soon. However the release has been getting pushed due to one reason or another. Though it was ready to arrive now, there was no other choice but move on since Yash Raj Films can’t be expected to budge away from their original plans for MERE BROTHER KI DULHAN.”