Amitabh Bachchan-Rekha film by Bhansali? Prithviraj Sukumaran wants first-show seat

Ahead of the release of Daayra, actor Prithviraj Sukumaran said he would watch a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha first day first show, as he joined director Meghna Gulzar and co-star Kareena Kapoor Khan for a conversation on choosing the right stories for audiences.The discussion centred on backing strong writing and on how actors and producers support stories. Kareena said today’s audiences are far smarter than many give them credit for, and argued that some producers still hold dated ideas about what works, especially the belief that a film needs a younger actor and actress to connect with viewers.It was during this exchange that Prithviraj made his point about audience interest in strong storytelling and screen presence. In a conversation with Yuvaa, he said, "If Sanjay Leela Bhansali makes a film with Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha, I will definitely watch first day first show."Prithviraj’s remark referred to a screen pairing that featured in several films, including Do Anjaane (1976), Alaap (1977), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Mr. Natwarlal (1979), Suhaag (1979), Ram Balram (1980), Silsila (1981) and Namak Halaal (1982). Their pairing became especially popular for its intense, romantic on-screen chemistry, with films such as Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Silsila turning them into one of Hindi cinema’s most talked-about screen couples. Their off-screen equation also drew enormous public and media attention over the years.Meanwhile, Kareena, while speaking about the current climate, said producers have "certain" dated ideas, but those ideas do not work in today’s time. She added that many still think stories will succeed only if there is a younger male and female actor in the film, but said the picture is totally different. Meghna Gulzar added, "It's not that writers are not going to push the envelope or break the box. It's about getting the support from actors and producers. It's a collaborative effort."What Daayra is aboutThe trailer of Daayra sets up a tense clash between the two officers as they find themselves on opposite sides of a case involving juvenile crime. Kareena plays DCP Ajooni Kohli, while Prithviraj plays DCP Raman Kumar. The trailer opens with the two officers taking different positions on a case involving a police encounter, and as the investigation progresses, their approaches to duty and justice begin to clash. The case takes a more serious turn when a family approaches the authorities for help in finding their missing daughter. During the investigation, details emerge about an accused person who had reportedly been active along the same route for two years. The trailer also raises questions about the legal framework surrounding juvenile offenders, including whether juvenile protection laws should apply in cases involving minors accused of serious crimes such as rape and murder.The disagreement between the two officers goes beyond the immediate case, with questions over procedure, accountability and the limits of their responsibilities as police officers.Written by Yash Keswani, Sima Agarwal and Meghna Gulzar, Daayra also features Jitendra Joshi, Kshitee Jog, Kanwaljeet Singh, Sandeep Kulkarni and Trupti Khamkar in supporting roles. The film is produced by Junglee Pictures and Dr Jayantilal Gada’s Pen Studios, will be distributed by Pen Marudhar, and is set to release in cinemas on September 18.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka SharmaPublished On: Sep 10, 2026 18:53 IST