Recent reports have indicated that Shraddha Kapoor may no longer be part of Rahi Anil Barve's upcoming film, produced by Ekta Kapoor. The swirling rumors suggest a fallout over Shraddha's fee demand, with some sources claiming she asked for ₹17 crore along with a share in the film's profits. However, director Rahi Anil Barve has responded to these reports, seemingly dismissing them as mere speculation.
In a statement to Bombay Times, Barve addressed the rumors surrounding Shraddha's exit, stating, "These are all rumours. Everything is a rumor." While he didn't explicitly confirm or deny her departure, his response was notably cryptic. He further added, "Right now all I can say is that I'm finishing Rakt Brahmand. I am working on my next. That's it.”
The initial reports of Shraddha's exit stemmed from claims that her fee demand was deemed too high by Ekta Kapoor, especially considering the challenges faced by women-led films at the box office. According to these reports, Kapoor found the requested amount difficult to justify, potentially impacting the film's overall budget. Consequently, the producers have reportedly begun exploring alternative casting options and are in talks with other leading actresses to fill the role.
Shraddha's team and Ekta Kapoor have not yet released an official statement.
Meanwhile, Shraddha Kapoor is reportedly exploring multiple projects and is said to be in discussions with various producers, including Dinesh Vijan, Boney Kapoor, and Bhushan Kumar. An official announcement regarding her next project is expected within the next couple of months.
Director Rahi Anil Barve, known for his critically acclaimed film "Tumbbad," has resumed pre-production on his web series "Rakt Brahmand," a fantasy period drama starring Aditya Roy Kapur, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Ali Fazal. The series, which faced delays due to financial issues, is now set to begin filming in Mumbai next month. Barve is expected to shift his focus to Ekta Kapoor's thriller project only after wrapping up "Rakt Brahmand."
The reports surrounding Shraddha Kapoor's potential exit and Rahi Anil Barve's cryptic response have left fans and industry insiders curious about the project's fate. While there's no official confirmation, the director's ambiguous statement suggests that the situation might be more complex than initial reports indicate. As the industry awaits further updates, both Shraddha Kapoor and Rahi Anil Barve remain occupied with their respective commitments, leaving the future of their collaboration uncertain.
