Introduction
Sometimes, filmmakers find themselves in legal tussles that could jeopardise the completion of the film. This is the story of one such situation that happened during the making of the 2018 film ‘Kedarnath’, where director Abhishek Kapoor found himself in a court battle with actress Sara Ali Khan.
A Glimpse Into The Dispute
In 2018, a debutant named Sara Ali Khan entered the Bollywood industry with Abhishek Kapoor’s ‘Kedarnath’. However, her entry was not as smooth as she had hoped for. The actress found herself caught in a legal wrangle with the director, which greatly affected the shooting schedule of the film.
The Origin of the Legal Tussle
The legal dispute originated during the production of ‘Kedarnath’. On one side was Abhishek Kapoor, the filmmaker, and on the other was KriArj Entertainment, a production company that later withdrew from the project. This conflict disrupted the shooting schedule of Sara Ali Khan, who had initially committed her dates to the film ‘Simmba’, backed by Karan Johar and starring Ranveer Singh.
Abhishek Kapoor’s Perspective
In a conversation with media personality Siddharth Kannan, the filmmaker illuminated the obstacles he encountered during this legal feud. He underscored the intricacies of filmmaking and the imperative need to safeguard the film, even from those who were expected to support it.
Filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor On Legal Battle With Sara Ali Khan
According to Kapoor, an overzealous management team mistakenly allocated Sara Ali Khan’s dates to another project, jeopardizing the completion of ‘Kedarnath’.
Juggling Legal Battles and Film Shoots
Despite the ongoing legal dispute, Kapoor and Sara found themselves filming crucial scenes together. He discussed the need to go to court to regain the actress’s dates, stating, “While we were battling in court during the day, Sara and I were shooting important scenes the same evening in a temple.”
The Art of Compartmentalization
Reflecting on this experience, Kapoor recognized the valuable lesson it taught both him and Sara. They learned the importance of separating and compartmentalising issues. He emphasised the teamwork required to protect the film, even in challenging circumstances.
‘Kedarnath’ Released Amid Controversies
‘Kedarnath’ made its way to theaters on December 7, just days before the release of ‘Simba’. There were reports that Sara’s mother, Amrita Singh, wanted ‘Simmba’ to be her daughter’s debut film. When asked about this, Kapoor mentioned his limited interaction with Singh and left the matter open-ended.
Praising Sara Ali Khan’s Dedication
Kapoor ended the conversation by complimenting Sara Ali Khan’s dedication and suitability for the lead role. He admired her hard work, describing her as “very hungry” for success and highlighting her compatibility with the character alongside Sushant Singh Rajput in the film.
-Daisy