Raghava Lawrence announced that he has stepped down as the director of Kanchana: Muni 2 Hindi remake because he was disrespected and disappointed by the team. A new director will reportedly be approached for the Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani starrer.
The filmmaker tweeted about his decision to quit on Sunday. He said that one of the reasons was that the film’s first-look was released without his knowledge, and he was not satisfied with the poster design. However, he said he won’t be holding back his script and asked the team to carry on with the film, wishing them success.
“There is an old popular saying in Tamil which tells ‘Don’t step into any house where there is no respect.’ In this world, more than money and fame, self-respect is the most important attribute to a person’s character. So I have decided to step out of the project Laxmi Bomb the Hindi remake of Kanchana. I don’t want to mention the reason because there are multiple reasons but one of them is that the first look poster of the film was released today without my knowledge and even without discussing anything with me. I was informed about this by a third person. It was very painful for a director to know about him movie’s first look release from others. I feel very disrespected and disappointed. As a creator, I’m also not satisfied with the poster designer as well. This shouldn’t happen to any director.”
He added, “I can hold back my script because I haven’t signed any agreement regarding this film but I won’t do it because it is not professional. I’m ready to give my script because I personally respect Akshay Kumar sir a lot. They can replace me with some other director according to their wish. Soon, I’m going to meet Akshay Kumar sir give the script and step out of the project a good way. All the very best to the entire team. I wish the movie great success.”
Dear Friends and Fans..!I
In this world, more than money and fame, self-respect is the most important attribute to a person's character. So I have decided to step out of the project, #Laxmmibomb Hindi remake of Kanchana@akshaykumar
@RowdyGabbar @Advani_Kiara pic.twitter.com/MXSmY4uOgR— Raghava Lawrence (@offl_Lawrence) May 18, 2019
Speaking to Polimer, he said, “They released the first look without telling me. Plus I didn’t like the design either. We usually discuss together, design and then release the poster, but I got to know about the first-look from a reporter. That is when I looked it up. I felt I should not work in a place that disrespects me, so I decided to avoid this film.”
The first-look was released by Akshay Kumar on May 18, and it announced a release date on June 5, 2020. The poster did not credit Raghava Lawrence.
Bringing you one bomb of a story,#LaxmmiBomb starring @Advani_Kiara & yours truly!Bursting in cinemas on 5th June,2020?
Fox Star Studios Presents
A Cape of Good Films Production in association with Shabinaa Entertainment & Tusshar Entertainment House
Directed by Raghava Lawrence pic.twitter.com/vlXyK4HkNE— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) May 18, 2019
While Akshay Kumar and the film’s producers Tusshar Kapoor and Shabinaa Khan have not responded yet, they reportedly met a few hours after Lawrence’s tweet. It was speculated that they would convince him return to the project, but Mumbai Mirror reports that they have decided to bring in a new director. A source said in the report, “The second schedule is only in September and things will fall in place by then. Akshay has allotted bulk dates for a 40-day marathon shooting spell in Mumbai. With Raghava, there was a communication gap that was difficult to breach. So we have to take a decision on the new director soon.”
Last month, Raghava Lawrence announced the Hindi remake of Kanchana: Muni 2, and posted pictures with Akshay Kumar, Kiara Advani and producer Shabinaa Khan. The film went on floors in Mumbai. A few scenes and a song titled Bismillah were filmed during a 10-day schedule.
Hi dear Friends and Fans..! Shooting of Hindi remake Kanchana staring the great @akshaykumar sir has began…
need all your blessings #LaaxmiBomb pic.twitter.com/BB2zZ5szAD— Raghava Lawrence (@offl_Lawrence) April 28, 2019
Hi dear Friends Fans..! shooting with beautiful actress @Advani_Kiara and my producer @RowdyGabbar #KanchanaHindiRemake #laaxmibomb pic.twitter.com/InouZcb4Nu
— Raghava Lawrence (@offl_Lawrence) April 28, 2019
The spokesperson for the film told Silverscreen that Amitabh Bachchan was also part of the cast, and he would reprise Sarathkumar’s role from the original film. An official announcement regarding this was awaited. Akshay Kumar reprises Raghava’s role as the protagonist, and Kiara plays his girlfriend. The story has been modified with a strong role for Kiara, said the source.
The film is not a straightforward remake but the premise draws from both Muni and Kanchana. The second part in the installment released in 2011, with a story revolving around a man possessed by the ghost of a trans woman (played by Sarathkumar) who wants revenge from an MLA who murdered her family in a land-grabbing case.
