Rana Daggubati to play the “threat” in ‘Housefull 4’

It has been announced that Rana Daggubati will be taking the negative role in ‘Housefull 4’, which Nana Patekar was to play.

Reported on NDTV.com, screenwriter and director Farhad Samji revealed the news in an interview with IANS. Samji didn’t reveal much detail about Daggubati’s role.”I think it is too early to talk about his role. It’s an important role. He is playing the threat in the film.” This change comes following the #MeToo allegations made against Patekar a few months back.

Apart from Patekar, Sajid Khan was also suspended as director from the project for sexual harassment claims made against him during the #MeToo moment. Samji has since taken on the hat of director. “It would have been difficult for me had I not written the screenplay and dialogues of the film. Whenever I narrate, I do it like a stand-up act. All the actors…even producers make it a point that I am present on sets. I was in Jaisalmer while the shooting was happening there.

“So, it is not a big jump for me. But yeah, as a director, there are so many departments that I have to look up to like costumes, timing, actors and all. I had worked with Sajid Khan (producer) before also in Housefull 3 so, he was also there with me,” said Samji.

Asked about if he felt any pressure directing ‘Housefull 4’ by himself, Samji said doesn’t feel this will be any different to having three directors. “Had it been three directors, then also there would have been pressure. The same goes for directing solo. Pressure is there because it a big franchise and is releasing on Diwali.” Samji continued, “It is a period comedy…something that we are doing for the first time. The look, clothes and scale of the film are done on a different level. That’s the challenge. For me, filmmaking is passion.”

“It’s been about 17 years since I joined the industry. I have written for around 40 films. This is what I have been craving for…to get bigger films, good films with a good cast. I am getting everything on a platter. I have to do justice to it,” added Samji.

‘Housefull 4’ will be an all star cast with Riteish Deshmukh, Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Kriti Sanon, kriti Kharbanda and Pooja Hedge.