‘Bell Bottom’ director Ranjit Tewari: It’s disappointing that the film is not releasing in Maharashtra – Times of India

Akshay Kumar is all set to return to theatres with his tent pole entertainer ‘Bell Bottom’. This spy entertainer was shot entirely during the pandemic in a bio-bubble in Scotland, with all the prep also taking place virtually. Giving a lowdown on making a movie during the pandemic, director Ranjit Tewari told ETimes, “Vashu (Bhagnani) ji and Jackky (Bhagnani) took the effort to bring the entire team together and fly them down. For me, the challenge was to create the film during the pandemic, when we were not supposed to meet or go out of our houses. Even the prep for ‘Bell Bottom’ was something new because we could not meet. We have done the entire casting and prep over video calls. Look and costume trials took place when we flew down to Scotland. All these things were really scary and challenging. I think it was a great initiative from the entire team to make the film”.

Going by trailer and posters of the movie, Akshay looks dapper in his transition to a 1980s spy. Ask Ranjit if he was always his first choice for the movie and without a moment’s hesitation he gushes, “Akshay was absolutely the first choice, and directing him was a dream come true. To direct him so early in my career… I couldn’t have asked for more”.

While theatres across the country are gearing up to welcome a grand movie, those in Maharashtra have still not received any permission to start business. Expressing his thoughts, the filmmaker adds, “I’m disappointed; we would have loved the theatres to have opened in Maharashtra. But, at the same time, I understand the need of the government to keep them shut for some time; they know the situation better than all of us, because they’re monitoring it from the top. You have to respect their decision too. But, from my end, of course, it’s disappointing. I would have loved for people of Maharashtra to see the film too and I hope theatres here open soon so that they can also view the film”.

‘Bell Bottom’ also features Vaani Kapoor, Lara Dutta, and Huma Qureshi in pivotal roles. This espionage thriller is based on true events of a hijack is set in 1984.