Junglee Pictures’ Ulajh has created excitement and anticipation within the industry since its announcement in December 2021. The production banner, known for backing high-concept and entertaining films like Talvar, Badhaai Ho, Raazi, Bareilly Ki Barfi, and Doctor G, has since been ambitiously working on bringing this stylized espionage drama to life for worldwide audiences. And now, they seem ready to take it to the floor, as we hear the leading cast of the film has been finalized.
Peepingmoon.com has exclusively learned that Junglee Pictures has roped in Janhvi Kapoor to headline its highly anticipated film Ulajh. The actress, who has consistently proved her versatility as a performer with diverse-genre films like Dhadak, Gunjan Saxena, Good Luck Jerry, and Mili, will play a spy in this big-scale project. It’s a high-octane spy thriller that revolves around three main characters, and while Janhvi will lead the storyline, Malayalam actor Roshan Mathew (Choked, Darlings) has been cast as the male lead. The film has one more senior male lead character, but the makers haven’t finalized anyone for that yet.
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Expected to be an edge-of-the-seat thriller with visually delightful scenery and lots of twists and turns, Ulajh will be directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Sudhanshu Saria, who has previously helmed the critically acclaimed LGBTQ+ themed film, Loev. The Parveez Shaikh-written script deals with themes of failure and redemption in a relevant and gripping way and promises to keep audiences gripped till the end. The film follows a female protagonist from a prominent family of patriots who gets embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while far from her home turf on her first international posting. It’s Junglee Pictures’ second female-led spy drama after Raazi, but is strikingly different from the Alia Bhatt starrer.
Ulajh has landed in Janhvi’s lap after she backed out of Dinesh Vijan’s Murder Mubarak. The actress has signed two new films since then, the first being Koratala Siva’s Pan-India film with Jr. NTR. Janhvi is currently shooting for Dharma Productions’ sports drama, Mr. & Mrs. Mahi, and will then head to NTR30. She is expected to dive into Ulajh only after finishing these prior commitments. The Sudhanshu Saria film has been planned to be mounted on a huge scale and will be shot extensively in scenic international locations. The pre-production has begun, and the makers will soon lock in the shooting timelines.
Meanwhile, Junglee Pictures has multiple projects slated to get off the ground this year. Apart from Ulajh, the company is also expected to take to floors Balaji Mohan’s high-concept thriller, Click Shankar, about a witty yet troubled inspector who remembers everything, which is both a boon and curse for him. They are also working on Phantom Hospital, the Hindi debut film of Malik fame Mahesh Narayanan, which is based on an unprecedented investigation into the Indian healthcare system. Jai Bhim director TJ Gnanavel’s Dosa King, inspired by Jeevajothi Santhakumar’s life and battle against a restaurant mogul, will also hit the floors this year. On the release front, Junglee Pictures has Taapsee Pannu and Pratik Gandhi's comedy-drama, Woh Ladki Hai Kahaan? scheduled to release mid-this year.
