Baby John (film) explained

Baby John
Director:Kalees
Screenplay:Kalees
Decat:yes
Child:yes
Label1:Dialogues by
Data1:Sumit Arora
Story:Atlee
Based On:Theri (2016) by Atlee
Cinematography:Kiran Koushik
Editing:Ruben
Music:Thaman S
Country:India
Language:Hindi

Baby John is an upcoming Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Kalees and produced by Atlee, Murad Khetani and Jyoti Deshpande under Jio Studios, Cine1 Studios and A for Apple Productions. It stars Varun Dhawan in the eponymous role alongside Keerthy Suresh (in her Hindi film debut), Jackie Shroff and Wamiqa Gabbi, with Sanya Malhotra in a special appearance. The film is a remake of Atlee's Tamil film Theri (2016).

The film was announced in July 2023 with the working title VD18, marking Dhawan's 18th film in a lead role.[1] The official title was announced in February 2024. Principal photography began in August 2023 and ended in April 2024. Filming locations include Mumbai and Kerala. The technical crew consists of musician Thaman S (in his full-fledged Hindi music debut), editor Ruben and cinematographer Kiran Koushik.

Baby John was scheduled to release on 31 May 2024 but it has now been postponed to 25 December 2024 due to unfinished production work and post production work.[2]

Premise

Baby John, a former police officer, fakes his death and goes into hiding as a baker to bring up his daughter in a safe environment, but trouble ensues when their life gets threatened by Baby John's past enemies and Baby John must face his past to protect his daughter.

Cast

Production

Development

In late April 2020, it was reported that Varun Dhawan was approached to play the lead role in the official Hindi remake of Theri (2016). However, it was undisclosed whether Atlee, the director of the original film, would direct the venture or give the role to someone else.[3] Reportedly, the director had met the actor in Mumbai during 2019 to discuss the possibilities of a possible collaboration in the near future.[4] [5] In March 2022, the production for the project was reported to begin soon as Dhawan had reportedly completed his consisting commitments. According to reports, Atlee and Dhawan met again to finalise the project.[6] On 19 March, the collaboration of both was publicly announced.[7] Tentatively titled as VD18, instead of directing it, Atlee was revealed to produce the project under his house A for Apple Productions, along with Murad Khetani's Cine1 Studios. Kalees, who is a former assistant of Atlee and the director of the 2019 techno-thriller film Kee, was hired to direct the project.[8] [9] The official title Baby John was announced on 5 February 2024.[10]

Casting

Janhvi Kapoor was reported to play the lead actress role, pairing opposite Varun for the second time after Bawaal (2023).[11] [12] However, Keerthy Suresh was confirmed to have replaced the former (in her first Hindi film).[13] She would reportedly receive a remuneration of and reprise Samantha's role in the original film.[14] [15] Wamiqa Gabbi was cast to reprise the role of Amy Jackson.[16] [17] Jackie Shroff was cast to play the main antagonist, reprising the role of late Mahendran. Sanya Malhotra (billed as a special appearance as prospective bride of Varun, reprising the role of Sunaina),[18] Rajpal Yadav and Sheeba Chaddha was cast to play pivotal roles.[19] [20] Salman Khan is also reported to appear in a cameo action scene ahead of his full film collaboration with Atlee.[21] [22]

Filming

Principal photography commenced with an inaugural puja ceremony, of which video was released by the production house on 14 January 2024 – occasion of Makar Sankranti,[23] and first schedule on 10 August 2023 in Mumbai.[24] On 7 September, Dhawan stated that he injured his foot during filming, which caused it to be put on hold,[25] and it ultimately began on the 12th of that month.[26] Gabbi began filming her portions from 15 December, with production moving to somewhere near Kerala.[27] [28] On the 23rd, filming was put on hold again, due to Dhawan getting injured again.[29] On 27 December, Dhawan, through his social media's, revealed that the first schedule had concluded.[30] [31] Filming wrapped up in April 2024.

Music

Thaman S composed the soundtrack and background score, in his first solo Hindi film.[32]

Release

In July 2023, it was announced that the film was planned to be released on 31 May 2024, but it was later postponed to 25 December 2024.[33]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Varun Dhawan Announces 'Biggest Action Entertainer' VD18 With Jawan Director Atlee . 10 January 2024 . Zoom TV . en.
  2. Web site: Baby John: Varun Dhawan, Keerthy Suresh's Action-Thriller Postponed From May 31st . www.msn.com . support@india.com . 18 May 2024.
  3. Web site: Varun Dhawan to act in Hindi remake of Theri? . 10 January 2024 . The New Indian Express. 27 April 2020 .
  4. Web site: Theri Hindi remake: Will Varun Dhawan step into Vijay's shoes? . 10 January 2024 . India Today . 30 April 2020 . en.
  5. Web site: 20 April 2020 . Scoop: Varun Dhawan approached for the remake of Atlee's Theri? . . 10 January 2024 . en.
  6. Web site: Varun Dhawan is set to collaborate with Atlee for a Hindi remake of a South film . 10 January 2024 . filmfare.com . en.
  7. News: 19 March 2022 . Varun Dhawan's next film could be a remake of THIS Atlee film -Exclusive! . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  8. News: 10 April 2023 . Janhvi Kapoor joins Varun Dhawan in Atlee's remake of Theri - Exclusive . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  9. Web site: Atlee's Theri Hindi remake starring Varun Dhawan gets release date . 10 January 2024 . ETV Bharat News . 2 July 2023 . en.
  10. Web site: 5 February 2024 . 'Baby John': Varun Dhawan-Keerthy Suresh's 'Theri' remake's title, first look out . India Today. 5 February 2024 .
  11. News: 10 April 2023 . Janhvi Kapoor joins Varun Dhawan in Atlee's remake of Theri - Exclusive . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  12. Web site: 11 April 2023 . Janhvi Kapoor Teams Up With Varun Dhawan For Atlee's Theri Remake . 10 January 2024 . TimesNow . en.
  13. News: 28 July 2023 . VD18: Atlee's Varun Dhawan and Keerthy Suresh starrer to go on floors in August . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  14. News: 20 July 2023 . Has Keerthy Suresh hiked her fee ahead of her Bollywood debut? . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  15. Web site: Woah! Keerthy Suresh to make her Hindi film debut with Varun Dhawan? Netizens feel she is a wrong choice . 10 January 2024 . Tellychakkar.com . en.
  16. Web site: B . Satya . 26 September 2023 . 'Theri' Test For Pawan & Varun . 10 January 2024 . Gulte . en-US.
  17. Web site: 11 October 2023 . Wamiqa Gabbi on fronting Jawan director Atlee upcoming project with Varun Dhawan in the lead . 10 January 2024 . Mid-day . en.
  18. News: 20 October 2023 . Sanya Malhotra joins Varun Dhawan and Atlee's action entertainer: Report . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  19. Web site: 10 January 2024 . Confirmed: Thaman S to make solo Bollywood debut in Atlee's VD18 with; makers of Varun Dhawan starrer to unveil a massy teaser soon . . 10 January 2024 . en.
  20. News: 14 December 2023 . Jackie Shroff to play baddie in Varun Dhawan's next . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  21. Web site: Raut . Rahul . 3 July 2024 . Exclusive: Salman Khan and Atlee team up for a cameo role in Varun Dhawan’s Baby John . Peeping Moon . 20 July 2024 . en.
  22. Web site: Mankad . Himesh . 20 June 2024 . Exclusive: Salman Khan, Atlee and Sun Pictures in talks for a mega two hero actioner – All you need to know . . 20 July 2024 . en.
  23. News: 14 January 2024 . 'VD 18': Atlee gives a sneak peek at Varun Dhawan, Wamiqa Gabbi and Keerthy Suresh's Muhurat pooja- Watch . 14 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  24. News: 10 August 2023 . Watch: Varun Dhawan starts shooting for VD18, spotted with Atlee on the sets . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  25. News: 7 September 2023 . Varun Dhawan injures himself on the sets of Atlee's VD18, shares pic of ice water treatment: see inside . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  26. News: 12 September 2023 . Varun Dhawan sets the internet ablaze with his shirtless beach photos, ask fans for a caption - See inside . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  27. News: 15 December 2023 . Wamiqa Gabbi starts shooting with Varun Dhawan for 'VD 18' . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  28. News: 15 December 2023 . Wamiqa Gabbi begins filming for her film with Varun Dhawan . 10 January 2024 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  29. News: 27 December 2023 . Varun Dhawan faces fourth on-set injury during VD18 Shoot in Kerala, shares video . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  30. News: 27 December 2023 . Varun Dhawan wraps up Kerala schedule of 'VD 18' . 10 January 2024 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  31. Web site: 28 December 2023 . Varun Dhawan wraps up Kerala schedule of 'VD 18' . 10 January 2024 . English.Mathrubhumi . en.
  32. Web site: 10 January 2024 . Confirmed: Thaman S to make solo Bollywood debut in Atlee's VD18 with; makers of Varun Dhawan starrer to unveil a massy teaser soon . . 10 January 2024 . en.
  33. Web site: Varun Dhawan starrer Baby John to release on December 25; to clash with Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par. 26 June 2024. Bollywood Hungama. 26 June 2024.