Bandra: Dileep is not an underworld gangster in the Tamannaah-starrer, says Arun Gopy | Exclusive

Director Arun Gopy’s upcoming project Bandra, which also marks the Malayalam debut of actress Tamannaah Bhatia, will be a pivotal movie for its hero Dileep too. The movie is the actor’s first big budget venture since the pandemic and he hasn't had a hit since his last collaboration with Arun in Ramaleela, which was released in 2017.

The makers of the film, which is scripted by Udaykrishna, released its first teaser recently and it promised to showcase the actor in a stylish, action avatar while telling a story based on the Mumbai underworld.

Also read: Exclusive! Tamannaah’s Malayalam debut with Dileep will be an action-entertainer shot across India: Arun Gopy 

While all reports suggest Dileep will be playing a gangster in the movie, the film’s director Arun tells OTTplay exclusively that this is not the case. “That’s not true at all. I have heard that he plays a gangster throughout the movie from the rumours that are going around. Both Dileep and Tamannaah aren’t playing roles related to the underworld at all. All I can say is that both of them are apt for the characters in Bandra,” he explains.

Incidentally, there were also rumours that the film is based on a true incident. “That’s true. It’s a fictional story but it’s inspired from a true incident,” he clarifies.

Also read: Exclusive! Tamannaah’s character in Dileep’s Bandra inspired by a real-life actress? 

The big-budget actioner, which also has Dino Morea, Sarathkumar, Lena, Mamta Mohandas and Kalabhavan Shajohn, as part of the cast. On the film’s release plans, Arun says, “The shoot is almost over. We haven’t decided on the release date yet. Currently, the post production of the film is underway and it will take some time. Based on when we will complete it, we will be planning the release too.”

Meanwhile, Dileep’s next release will be Raffi’s Voice of Sathyanathan, which also has Joju George, Anupam Kher and Veena Nandakumar as part of the cast. The actor is also currently shooting for Udal director Ratheesh Reghunandan’s movie, which has Pranitha Subhash and Neeta Pillai as part of the cast, as well as Dear Friend director Vineeth Kumar's next.