There is a lot of buzz about Akshay Kumar’s espionage thriller, “Bell Bottom,” ahead of its theatrical release tomorrow, Aug. 19, a 2D and 3D format. Based on a true story of India’s first covert operation, the Ranjit Tewari directorial will see Kumar as a RAW agent tasked with bringing a stop to the hijacking plans of a callous gang seeking to take over an Indian plane in 1984.
Along with Kumar’s character, what won the spotlight was Lara Dutta’s jaw-dropping transformation as former prime minister Indira Gandhi, thanks to the progress the science of prosthetics has made over the years. When asked why Dutta was chosen for this pivotal role despite an evident distinction between her and Indira Gandhi’s facial features, Jackky Bhagnani, one of the producers revealed that the credit of this casting goes to none other than Kumar. Lara’s panache and strong persona made her the first choice for bringing this important role to life.
YouTube link for trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6eZ49O67YQ
“Bell Bottom” also stars Vaani Kapoor and Huma Qureshi, and is produced by Pooja Entertainment in association with Emmay Entertainment. Co-producers are Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani, Deepshikha Deshmukh, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, and Nikkhil Advani. It became the first production company to release a big budget Bollywood film internationally in the cinemas, despite having the option of an OTT release.
It will be the first major Bollywood film to release in Indian cinemas after a quarter devastated by the deadly second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Variety reports that “only 50% of screens in India have reopened and many of them are operating at reduced capacity.” The rest, including those in Maharashtra, remain closed.
Producers say they were aware of the risks they were taking to film the production amidst the first wave of the pandemic and now, and well aware of the risk to release the film theatrically during the pandemic.
“That nervousness of one day before the release is back and swear to God I’ve missed it,” Kumar tweeted. “Here’s another friendly reminder 🙂 #Bellbottom releasing tomorrow. BOOK TICKETS NOW.”