Filmmaker Aanand L Rai has ruled out moving ahead with ‘Tanu Weds Manu 3’ without its original stars, Kangana Ranaut and R Madhavan, dismissing recent reports that the next instalment would feature a new cast and an independent storyline, states Hindustan Times.
“‘Tanu Weds Manu’ won’t be possible without Madhavan. So, whenever you will see any ‘Tanu Weds Manu’, whether three or four or five, it will be with Madhavan and Kangana,” Rai told PTI, according to The Times of India.
Rai directed the first film in 2011 and its sequel, ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’, in 2015.
Both films performed well commercially and established the romantic comedy franchise around the relationship between Madhavan’s Manu Sharma and Ranaut’s Tanuja Trivedi.
His remarks come days after reports suggested that a third instalment was in development with filmmaker Mitakshara Kumar and a fresh cast.
The proposed project was reportedly expected to retain the franchise’s humour and tone while introducing new characters and a separate story.
Speaking at the Jagran Film Festival, Rai also discussed his approach to filmmaking, saying that a compelling story mattered more to him than a film’s budget.
He said he wanted to make projects that excited him as a filmmaker, regardless of whether they required a modest or substantial investment.
Rai also advised filmmakers to understand their strengths rather than follow industry trends blindly.
While he acknowledged that repeating oneself was not ideal, he said creators could continue discovering new ideas within the kind of stories they knew best.
The director is currently associated with ‘Nakhrewaalii’, starring newcomers Ansh Duggal and Pragati Srivastava.
Directed by Rahul Shanklya, the film is scheduled to release in cinemas on 30 October.
