This may be sad news for all the Janhvi Kapoor, who were all excited to see her romancing South star Vijay Deverakonda in his Bollywood debut film, tentatively titled Fighter. But the latest reports state that the film, which is touted to be Mixed Martial Arts-heavy action, will see not Janhvi Kapoor but Ananya Panday as the leading lady of Vijay Deverakonda. Ananya made her Bollywood debut with Karan Johar’s Student Of The Year 2 and was last seen in Pati Patni Aur Woh.
According to the latest report in Mumbai Mirror, the makers were eager to cast a young actress opposite the Arjun Reddy star. A source close to the development, revealed to Mumbai Mirror, “Ananya is eager to work with Vijay and is expected to start shooting mid-March or in the first week of April.” Well, after SOTY 2 and her next opposite Siddhant Chaturvedi and Deepika Padukone, this film will mark Ananya’s third collaboration with KJo. The actress is currently shooting for Khaali Peeli. Fighter and will be a PAN release is helmed by South director Puri Jagannadh (ALSO READ: Vijay Deverakonda Makes A Style Splash At The Hyderabad Airport,We Wonder If It's His New Look From Fighter)
Earlier, it was reported that Janhvi’s mentor KJo had suggested Janhvi’s name to director Puri Jagannadh. A source close to the development revealed to Deccan Chronicle, “Even actresses such as Alia Bhatt and Ananya Pandey were approached for the part, but things did not materialize. However, Karan Johar was instrumental in getting Janhvi Kapoor on board. The actress is still working her date diary, and in all probability, she might commence shooting in February.”
Not only that, it was reported that the actress will be paid Rs 3.5 crore as remuneration to feature in the film. Surprising, but true!
Images Source: instagram/janhvikapoor/ananyapanday/thedeverakonda