Junglee Pictures is making one more female-led spy drama after the phenomenal success of Alia Bhatt's Raazi in 2018. The production banner, known for backing high-concept and entertaining films like Talvar, Badhaai Ho, Bareilly Ki Barfi, and Doctor G, is next working on a high-octane espionage thriller, Ulajh, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Sudhanshu Saria. Janhvi Kapoor headlines this film alongside two male actors, as we revealed in January. While Malayalam actor Roshan Mathew of Choked and Darlings fame was already on board opposite Janhvi, we hear Gulshan Devaiah has now been roped in for the second male lead.
"Gulshan Devaiah has joined the cast of Ulajh and will play a lead role alongside Janhvi and Roshan. He has an exciting and challenging part and will be seen doing loads of action in this film. Gulshan appeared in a scene-stealing cameo role as an openly gay lawyer in Junglee Pictures' Badhaai Do last year, and is excited to collaborate with the banner again on a full-fledged character, which is again something he hasn't attempted before on screen," a source close to the development informed us. Gulshan is regarded as one of the most sought-after performers, and his addition to the cast only adds to the hype of the film.
Ulajh is currently in pre-production and goes on floors at the end of May, with a target release in the first quarter of 2024. Described as an edge-of-the-seat thriller with visually delightful scenery and lots of twists and turns, the film centres on a female protagonist from a prominent family of patriots who gets embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while far from her home turf on her first international posting. The Parveez Shaikh-written script promises to keep viewers riveted until the very end while tackling themes of failure and redemption in a timely and compelling manner.
Janhvi Kapoor will apparently start shooting for this stylized espionage drama after finishing her yet-untitled Pan-India film with Jr. NTR. The actress also has a few days of shooting remaining for Dharma Productions' Mr. & Mrs. Mahi with Rajkummar Rao, which she will complete sometime this month. She is also believed to be in talks for a new film (a South film remake); however, things are still in the discussion stage on that front.
In contrast, Gulshan Devaiah has three web shows lined up this year. The actor, known for his performance in films like Shaitan, Hunterrr, and Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, will next be seen in Reema Kagti's murder mystery, Dahaad, alongside Sonakshi Sinha, Vijay Varma, and Sohum Shah. He will follow that series with Raj & DK's Netflix show, Guns & Gulaabs, co-starring Rajkummar Rao and Dulquer Salmaan. The second season of his Zee5 series, Duranga, is also expected to go on floors soon.
