Actor Kangana Ranaut‘s next film titled Tejas will begin filming in December 2020, the makers have announced on Friday morning. Helmed by Sarvesh Mewara, the film is being bankrolled by Ronnie Screwvala‘s RSVP Movies, their second film on the Indian Armed Forces after Vicky Kaushal starrer Uri: The Surgical Strike. Tejas will see Kangana playing an Air Force pilot.
Ronnie took to Twitter to announce the news. Along with the news was a photo of Kangana in the Air Force uniform beside the IAF aircraft, ‘Tejas’.
#Tejas starring @KanganaTeam to take-off this December! ✈️
This film is our ode to the brave Air Force Pilots of India! Jai Hind 🇮🇳#FridaysWithRSVP @sarveshmewara1 @RSVPMovies @nonabains pic.twitter.com/tWZwtBHDeA— Ronnie Screwvala (@RonnieScrewvala) August 28, 2020
The Indian Air Force was the first of the country’s defence forces to induct women into combat roles in 2016. The film takes inspiration from this landmark event.
Speaking about the film Kangana said, “Tejas is an exhilarating story where I have the privilege of playing an air force pilot. I am honoured to be a part of a film that celebrates these brave men and women in uniform who make immense sacrifices in the line of duty every day. Our film celebrates the armed forces and its heroes. Excited to take this journey with Sarvesh and Ronnie.”
The team was reportedly prepping for the film when the pandemic struck causing a halt on all work. Speaking about the film, Ronnie says, “I’m pleased to announce that we are resuming work and will commence shoot later this year. Uri: The Surgical Strike, celebrated the courage of the Indian Army and Tejas is our dedication to the brave fighter pilots of the Indian Air Force.”
He added, “The idea of developing a story around a woman fighter pilot was born in-house by Salona Bains Joshi, the Associate Producer on the project, and I backed it instantly. With Kangana playing the lead, I hope our film inspires many more women to join the Indian Air Force.”
“My film is a reflection of the current sentiment in our country. We celebrate our armed forces and I hope to further evoke a spirit of patriotism and nationalism through my storytelling,” said Sarvesh who added, “Kangana is a strong woman with a voice that resonates with the youth of this nation and I cannot wait to begin shooting with her.”
Earlier, Ronnie had clarified that Tejas is not a sequel to Uri. He said that Uri was based on a true story unlike Tejas and therefore couldn’t be the second installment to it. Although, the producer said that the film is on the same lines and scale as Uri.
#Tejas to take-off this December! ✈️ Proud to be part of this exhilarating story that is an ode to our brave airforce pilots! Jai Hind 🇮🇳 #FridaysWithRSVP@sarveshmewara1 @RonnieScrewvala @rsvpmovies @nonabains pic.twitter.com/2XC2FgnQKb
— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) August 28, 2020
The first look poster of Tejas was unveiled in February. In that too, she was seen in the IAF uniform holding a helmet in hand, next to an IAF jet aircraft.
Read: Kangana Ranaut Is An Air Force Pilot In ‘Tejas’; First Look Out Now
The film is slated to hit screens in 2021.
Recommended
Meanwhile, Kangana, who was last seen in Ashwini Iyer Tiwari‘s Panga, also has director Vijay‘s Jayalalithaa biopic Thalaivi. She will be seen along with Arvind Swami, Madhoo, and Poorna who reportedly play MGR, Janaki, and Sasikala.
Read: Panga Review: The Sports Story They Don’t Tell You About