karan johar, the night manager, sandeep modi

It has been like a long unsaid tradition for Dharma Productions and Karan Johar to give a platform to up and coming filmmakers. They have given prominent directors like Nikkhil Advani, Shashank Khaitan and Raj Mehta their first breaks . Now, seems like Karan Johar has taken another budding director under his wing.

Karan Johar signs The Night Manager director Sandeep Modi

According to a report in Pinkvilla, Karan has brought on board the director of The Night Manager, Sandeep Modi. Under Dharma Productions, Karan has signed Sandeep for a 2-film deal. And the first of them is going to be an actioner.

A source close to the development revealed, “Sandeep has been working on a script for the last two years and the things are now locked on paper with regards to the story. His next directorial is a big budget action film for Dharma Production. While the script is more or less locked now, the film will enter the pre-production stage by summer this year, as the team is looking to mount a big action film.” The film is expected to go on floors by end of this year.

The source further added, “It will be a big star-cast film and will proceed into the casting stage by this summer. The details about his second film with Dharma are not known yet, but he has already got an idea green lit by Karan Johar.”

Karan praised The Night Manager starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Anil Kapoor

Sandeep’s most recent project is the web show The Night Manager that released on February 17. It marks Aditya Roy Kapur’s OTT debut and the show has received rave reviews for it. The show also stars Anil Kapoor and Sobhita Dhulipala, along with an ensemble cast.

Karan took to his Instagram to praise the show as well. He wrote, “This is just so so amazing!!! Hugely mounted , incredibly performed and adapted to perfection by @sandeipm …@adityaroykapur @anilskapoor are sensational!!!! @sobhitad … is so gorgeous and hugely effective ! @tillotamashome is outstanding!!!!! Take a bow team #nightmanager and kudos to @disneyplushotstar!!! (sic)”.

The show will have its second part release in June 2023. As for Sandeep, he has also directed Sushmita Sen starrer Aarya and Swanand Kirkire’s Marathi film Chumbak.

Dharma Productions’ upcoming slate

Reportedly, apart from Sandeep, Karan had also earlier signed Vasan Bala and Neeraj Ghaywan to direct a feature film under his production. The former is making an actioner while the latter is planning a human drama.

As for the other Dharma projects, they recent had the release of Akshay Kumar and Emraan Hashmi’s Selfiee. Next up in line is Karan’s directorial return, Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. It features Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh. RajKummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor starrer Mr and Mrs Mahi is also expected to release this year.

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