Photograph: Kind courtesy Vijay Deverakonda/Instagram
Vijay Deverakonda has announced his debut Hindi debut film, Liger, on social media. Earlier titled Fighter, this is a much anticipated film from the Arjun Reddy star.
The film has been produced by Karan Johar and Charmme Kaur, and directed by Puri Jagannadh.
‘For everyone like me, it is ok for all of us to dream big, Believe and make it happen,’ Vijay posted with the poster.
As we await its release, Subhash K Jha tells us 5 things to know about the film:
#1. Vijay shot most of the film before the COVID pandemic hit us.
Director Puri Jaganannath is a big name in Telugu cinema, but his work in Hindi cinema —Shart The Challenge (with Tusshar Kapoor) and Bbuddah… Hoga Terra Baap (with Amitabh Bachchan) are flops.
Photograph: Kind courtesy Charmme Kaur/Instagram
#2. Karan Johar planned Vijay’s Hindi debut from scratch.
Initially, he wanted to launch the actor with a remake of his Telugu film, Dear Comrade.
Karan paid a whopping price for the remake rights. But when it flopped, Dear Comrade was not so dear any more.
KJo dropped the remake plans and decided to launch Vijay in an original Hindi film.
Photograph: Kind courtesy Charmme Kaur/Instagram
#3. Vijay suggested Puri Jagganath as director.
Karan was not too keen, but he couldn’t say no to the star.
Made at a staggering budget of approximately Rs 125 crore (Rs 1.25 billion), Liger will be marketed as a full-scale Dharma Production with Vijay speaking his lines in Hindi.
Photograph: Kind courtesy Charmme Kaur/Instagram
#4. Ananya Pandey, who plays Vijay’s love interest, almost has nothing to do in the film. Linger is almost a showreel for Vijay’s acting and action.
The first choice for the leading lady’s part was Janhvi Kapoor, who has confessed to having a serious crush on the actor.
When the role was found to be insubstantial, Ananya stepped in.
Photograph: Kind courtesy Charmme Kaur/Instagram
#5. Vijay plays a MMA (mixed martial arts) expert in Liger.
Hevtrained in this particular strain of the martial arts for three months before he started shooting.
His stunts in the film are going to give Tiger Shroff a run for his money.
