Baby John | |
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Directed by | Kalees |
Screenplay by | Kalees |
Dialogues by | Sumit Arora |
Story by | Atlee |
Based on | Theri (2016) by Atlee |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Kiran Koushik |
Edited by | Ruben |
Music by | Thaman S |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Country | India |
Language | Hindi |
Baby John is an upcoming Indian Hindi-language action drama film written and directed by Kalees and produced by Jio Studios, Cine1 Studios and A for Apple Productions. It stars Varun Dhawan in the title role, alongside Keerthy Suresh (in her Hindi debut), Wamiqa Gabbi, Jackie Shroff and Sanya Malhotra. It is a remake of Atlee's Tamil film Theri (2016), who is also the co-producer of the film.
The film was announced in July 2023 with the working title VD18, marking Dhawan's 18th film in a lead role.[2] The official title was announced in February 2024. Principal photography began in August 2023 and ended in April 2024. Filming locations include Mumbai and Kerala. The music is composed by Thaman S.
Baby John is scheduled to release on 31 May 2024.
Baby John, a former police officer, fakes his death and goes into hiding to bring up his daughter in a safe environment, but trouble ensues when their life gets threatened by Baby John's past enemies and Baby John must face his past to protect his daughter.
In late April 2020, it was reported that Varun Dhawan was approached to play the lead role in the official Hindi remake of Theri (2016). However, it was undisclosed whether Atlee, the director of the original film, would direct the venture or give the role to someone else.[3] Reportedly, the director had met the actor in Mumbai during 2019 to discuss the possibilities of a possible collaboration in the near future.[4][5] In March 2022, the production for the project was reported to begin soon as Dhawan had reportedly completed his consisting commitments. According to reports, Atlee and Dhawan met again to finalise the project.[6] On 19 March, the collaboration of both was publicly announced.[7] Tentatively titled as VD18, instead of directing it, Atlee was revealed to produce the project under his house A for Apple Productions, along with Murad Khetani's Cine1 Studios. Kalees, who is a former assistant of Atlee and the director of the 2019 techno-thriller film Kee, was hired to direct the project.[8][9] The official title Baby John was announced on 5 February 2024.[10]
Janhvi Kapoor was reported to play the lead actress role, pairing opposite Varun for the second time after Bawaal (2023).[11][12] However, Keerthy Suresh was confirmed to have replaced the former (in her first Hindi film).[13] She would reportedly receive a remuneration of ₹3 crore (US$380,000) and reprise Samantha's role in the original film.[14][15] Wamiqa Gabbi was cast to reprise the role of Amy Jackson.[16][17] Jackie Shroff was cast to play the main antagonist, reprising the role of late Mahendran. Sanya Malhotra (billed as a special appearance as prospective bride of Varun, reprising the role of Sunaina),[18] Rajpal Yadav and Sheeba Chaddha was cast to play pivotal roles.[19][20]
Principal photography commenced with an inaugural puja ceremony, of which video was released by the production house on 14 January 2024 – occasion of Makar Sankranti,[21] and first schedule on 10 August 2023 in Mumbai.[22] On 7 September, Dhawan stated that he injured his foot during filming, which caused it to be put on hold,[23] and it ultimately began on the 12th of that month.[24] Gabbi began filming her portions from 15 December, with production moving to somewhere near Kerala.[25][26] On the 23rd, filming was put on hold again, due to Dhawan getting injured again.[27] On 27 December, Dhawan, through his social media's, revealed that the first schedule had concluded.[28][29]
Thaman S composed the soundtrack and background score, in his first solo Hindi film.[30]
The film is scheduled to release theatrically on 31 May 2024.[1]