Director Amit Rai has confirmed that his ambitious biopic on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which was to star Shahid Kapoor, has been shelved. The director revealed this development in a recent interview, expressing his frustration with the film industry's systemic issues.

Rai, who directed the commercially successful "OMG 2" (2023), expressed his disappointment with what he described as a "cruel system". While he did not explicitly state the reason for the project's cancellation, he suggested that issues related to casting, production, and the influence of stars and management contributed to its demise. He lamented the fact that even after proving his capabilities with a ₹180 crore film like "OMG 2," it wasn't enough to overcome the obstacles.

Rai highlighted the challenges directors face, stating, "How is a director supposed to work here, under these systems of casting, production, star, and management? You live with a story for five years, and within minutes, somebody writes a five-pager, pointing out what is wrong and what is right in the film". This experience has led him to produce his next project independently.

Despite the setback, Rai is moving forward with other projects. He has secured the support of Hungarian cinematographer Máté Herba and action and motion-capture specialist Isaac Hamon for his upcoming ventures. Pankaj Tripathi, who starred in "OMG 2," will also be part of his next film. Rai also mentioned that Akshay Kumar had expressed interest in being part of the project. He praised both actors for their generosity, noting that it's rare in Bollywood to find stars willing to take risks.

Rai observed that many actors prioritize projects based on box office success, sometimes shying away from films that address societal issues in favor of love stories. However, when presented with a period love story, they often cite budget concerns as a reason for declining.

Prior to this, Rai had begun filming "Senapati" in Dibrugarh, with the project revolving around a heartwarming story of a child and a dog. Ninety percent of the cast and crew were local talents, with filming scheduled across Dibrugarh and its surroundings. A technical team from Mumbai was also involved, along with Hungarian cinematographer Maté Herbai. The Assam State Film Corporation and the Assam Chamber of Commerce & Industry are backing the project.

Rai is also working on a new kids' film titled "Oh My Dog," which, as the name suggests, will be a story about kids and dogs. The film will feature a fresh cast, and sources indicate that 90% of it has already been shot. There is also a possibility of Pankaj Tripathi making a cameo appearance in the film. Furthermore, Rai has begun working on "OMG 3" and has discussed plot points with Akshay Kumar.