‘Mental Hai Kya’ Actress Kangana Ranaut To Take On Vardhan, ‘Paagal’ Grandson Of Amrish Puri

While Mental has Kangana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao coming together, Paagal has Vardhan making his debut alongside Shivaleeka Oberoi.

By
Joginder Tuteja
- June 3, 2019 | 9:17 AM IST
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It is going to be one ‘paagal’ taking on another ‘mental’. Just when one thought that Kangana Ranaut’s Mental Hai Kya would get a solo release, what with Hrithik Roshan deciding to bring his Super 30 a fortnight earlier, there is another film which has staked claim as well on this date. It is titled Paagal, which also marks the screen debut of Late Amrish Puri’s grandson Vardhan Puri.

“Look at the irony of affairs, not just is there a clash taking place, even the titles of the films are so similar. Mental v/s Paagal – there is good ring to this,” says an industry insider, who has been closely observing the arrival of both films.

While Mental has Kangana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao coming together, Paagal has Vardhan making his debut alongside Shivaleeka Oberoi. The film is said to be a thriller and in a space similar to that of David Fincher’s much-acclaimed flick Gone Girl.

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“Both films are aiming to release on 26th July. While Mental Hai Kya made its plans clear for this date a while back, Paagal has just announced its arrival,” a trade expert adds.

Mental Hai Kya comes from the house of Ekta Kapoor while Paagal has Rajeev Amrish Puri and Jayantilal Gada coming together as producers.

Incidentally, both Vardhan and Shivaleeka started their career as assistant directors. While Vardhan has been associated with Yash Raj Films on films like Ishaqzaade, Daawat-e-Ishq and Shuddh Desi Romance, Shivaleeka worked with Sajid Nadiadwala on Kick and Housefull 3 before both found their calling as actors.

“Though the titles are similar, both films belong in different space,” our source comments, “Mental Hai Kya is a quirky comedy and Kangana Ranaut and Rajkummar Rao can well be expected to be in their elements there. The film’s poster design has pretty much conveyed loud and clear that it would be entirely different from anything that has come out of Bollywood ever. As for Paagal, though it is a launch affair for Vardhan and Shivaleeka, it is not going to be a quintessential romcom start that newcomers get. It has a lot more to offer than romance.”

Well, with mentals and ‘paagal’ coming together on screen for a face-off, it is going to be a ‘maddening’ affair for sure.

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