Director Anurag Basu has dismissed rumors that his upcoming film, Aashiqui 3, is being rewritten or reshot following the recent box office success of Mohit Suri’s musical romance, Saiyaara.
The Fear of Replicas in Bollywood
Whenever a Bollywood movie strikes gold, there’s often an underlying fear among audiences. This concern is about the industry rushing to replicate a successful formula, leading to a wave of similar films that lack originality.
The success of Mohit Suri’s “Saiyaara” has reignited this debate. The film, a musical romantic drama, has performed well, prompting whispers about other upcoming projects potentially altering their scripts to align with its winning style.
Aashiqui 3 Under the Microscope
Among the films in the spotlight is Anurag Basu’s “Aashiqui 3,” starring Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela. This movie is already in production and is meant to be the next installment in the popular “Aashiqui” franchise.
Comparisons between “Saiyaara” and “Aashiqui 3” naturally arose because both feature a rockstar musician as the male lead. This shared element led to speculation that Basu and his team might be reworking their script to avoid similarities with the hit film.
Anurag Basu Sets the Record Straight
However, Anurag Basu, known for films like “Metro… In Dino,” has firmly denied these rumors. He clarified that the resemblances between the two projects are minimal and purely coincidental.
“Mohit and I are very close. I’m happy for his film’s success,” Basu told Mid-day. He added, “The only similarity in our films is that the male lead is a rockstar, and the story is about his journey.”
Key Differences in Storylines
Basu further elaborated on the core difference, stating he was aware of “Saiyaara’s” plot because Mohit Suri had narrated it to him. “Saiyaara” focuses on a young couple whose lives change when the woman is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Anurag Basu confirmed that his film has no such storyline. “In my film, the girl doesn’t have dementia or any [other condition]. We are not rewriting or re-shooting,” he asserted. “So, why would I write the same [plot point] in mine?”
The Aashiqui Franchise’s Complex History
Interestingly, the story of “Saiyaara” itself was initially pitched by Mohit Suri to be developed as “Aashiqui 3.” However, that plan didn’t materialize, leading him to create it as a standalone project.
Meanwhile, “Aashiqui 2” producers Bhushan Kumar (T-Series) and Mukesh Bhatt (Vishesh Films) moved forward with Anurag Basu and Kartik Aaryan for their “Aashiqui” installment. A subsequent legal dispute between Bhushan Kumar and Mukesh Bhatt over the use of the “Aashiqui” title led to the Delhi High Court ruling in Mukesh Bhatt’s favor, preventing T-Series from using “Aashiqui 3” as the film’s official title.
- Anurag Basu confirmed “Aashiqui 3” is not being rewritten or reshot after “Saiyaara’s” success.
- The only similarity between the two films is the male lead being a rockstar.
- “Aashiqui 3” does not feature a character with dementia, unlike “Saiyaara.”
- There was a legal dispute over the “Aashiqui” title, preventing its use for Basu’s film.
Despite the comparisons and legal challenges, Anurag Basu remains confident in the original vision for his upcoming musical romance, promising a distinct story for audiences.
