Vikrant Massey, Raashi Khanna, and Ridhi Dogra’s The Sabarmati Report was initially supposed to bow in theatres on May 3, 2024. But the film was postponed after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) advised the makers to delay the release until after the elections as the film contained some scenes that could offend the sentiments of a section of audiences. The movie was then scheduled for release on August 2, but that date is also not valid anymore as it has been postponed again. 

The political thriller is undergoing reshoots, and Peepingmoon.com has exclusively learned that Ranjan Chandel, the original director assigned to this project, is not filming it. Producer Ekta Kapoor has replaced Chandel with Tushar Hiranandani, who recently delivered a surprise box office hit with Rajkummar Rao’s Srikanth, to complete the production. Chandel is said to have been ousted from the project due to creative disputes. 

“The idea of reshooting and adding new scenes to the movie did not sit well with Chandel, which resulted in creative disagreements with the producers. Due to their radically different sensibilities, Ekta and Chandel were unable to come to an understanding for this movie. Thus, Ekta consulted the actors, received their consent, and brought aboard Tushar Hiranandani to finish the film,” a source close to the development told us. Hiranandini has apparently shot for 7-8 days, including some additional footage and leftover patchwork to shape the film as Ekta wanted. The makers haven’t yet revealed a new release, but they are reportedly looking to open it in theatres in September or October 2024. 

The Sabarmati Report is based on a horrific incident that occurred on February 27, 2002, when 59 Hindu pilgrims returning from Ayodhya perished in a fire inside the Sabarmati Express near the Godhra railway station in Gujarat. The hard-hitting narrative has been presented from the perspective of two journalists investigating the incident. Aseem Arora, Avinash Singh Tomar, and Arjun Bhandegaonkar have written the script.