Riteish Deshmukh gears up for OTT debut with Netflix

Recent OTT releases have proved that Bollywood stars are no longer shying away from foraying into the world of digital entertainment on smaller screens. As OTT platforms have witnessed an unforeseen expansion of users in India, well established actors are venturing into the world of web series. The latest addition to the list is Riteish Deshmukh, who is gearing up for his OTT debut with a Netflix film.

Following the footsteps of his Masti co-star Aftab Shivdasani, who made his OTT debut with Zee5’s Poison in 2020, Deshmukh will be starring in a Shashanka Ghosh directorial. Ghosh has made a name in Bollywood with hits like Khoobsurat and Veere Di Wedding. Scriptwriter Rajat Arora will be returning to produce and write this Netflix project. He is known for popular films like Kick, The Dirty Picture, Ek Villain and Once Upon A Time In Mumbai. Reports have stated that a famous actress from the South Indian film industry is also likely to star alongside Deshmukh.

Deshmukh’s Netflix Original was expected to go on floors in late February, but their plans had to be postponed due to the lockdown that was imposed by the Maharashtra government, owing to the second wave of COVID-19. The film has been rescheduled to begin shooting in July, if the situation becomes better by then. Deshmukh is expected to play a larger-than-life character in this comedy film.

Another project that Deshmukh is currently involved in is Sairat fame Nagraj Manjule’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Additionally, he has also been signed by Ronnie Screwvala’s banner for another film that might be released before his Marathi period drama. Deshmukh’s Netflix Original is slated to release in 2022.