In 2020, Deepika Padukone revealed that she would be producing the Hindi adaptation of the Hollywood classic The Intern, which starred Robert Di Niro and Anne Hathaway, under her production house, KA Productions. The film was supposed to star Deepika alongside Rishi Kapoor. But following the latter’s demise, Amitabh Bachchan came aboard. Deepika took to social media in 2021 to announce the news. Both the actors had earlier shared screen space in Shoojit Sircar’s acclaimed film, Piku, where they played father and daughter.
Last year, however, reports started doing the rounds that the Pathaan and the Jawan actor has pulled out of the film. It also stated that Big B will continue to be a part of the film and that Parineeti Chopra might replace Deepika in the remake of The Intern. But now, News18 Showsha has an exclusive update on the film and its lead cast.
A source tells us, “The Intern remake will mark Deepika’s second production venture after Chhapaak. She’s still very much a part of the project in the capacity of both a producer and actor. The film might have suffered many delays due to unavoidable circumstances but the makers are finally ready to roll it.”
The source further says that as per the current plan, the film is all set to go on floors in the first quarter of 2024 following the release of Fighter co-starring Hrithik Roshan and Anil Kapoor. “If all goes well, the shoot of the film will begin in January-February next year. While Deepika will be a part of the first schedule of the film, it’s still unclear as to when Big B will begin shoot,” adds the insider.
Speaking about the film in 2020, Deepika had said, “The Intern is an intimate, relationship-driven film, set in and around the workplace; a story that I believe is very relevant to the present-day social and cultural environment. I have been looking for a light, breezy comedy-drama and this story fits in seamlessly. I cannot wait to begin this journey.”
According to Deepika’s 2021 Instagram post, the The Intern remake will be co-produced by Sunil Kheterpal with Warner Brothers India, Ka Productions and Azure Entertainment collaborating on the film. Amit Ravindernath Sharma was to direct the film, which was supposed to release in the summer of 2022.
For the unversed, the Hollywood slice-of-life dramedy had released in 2015. Rene Russo, Anders Holm, Andrew Rannells, Adam DeVine and Zack Pearlman also featured in it. The film is about a 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker, who applies for a senior intern at an online fashion site, after realising that he is not cut out for retirement. Anne played his boss in The Intern.
