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The following is a list of unproduced Shekhar Kapur projects. During his career, Indian director Shekhar Kapur has worked on a number of projects that never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects were canceled, some were turned over to other production teams, and others never made it past the speculative stage.

Unrealized projects

Time Machine

In 1992, he was set to direct the sci-fi film titled Time Machine, which was to star Aamir Khan, Raveena Tandon, Naseeruddin Shah and Rekha, but he abandoned the project halfway through due to financial problems. The film was left incomplete, and there were talks many years later that Kapur would revive the project with a new cast, which never happened.

Elizabeth's third chapter and foundation series

Elizabeth: The Dark Age, a third episode in the Queen Elizabeth series, was planned. According to screenwriter John Rogers, the success of Elizabeth led to Kapur being tapped to work on an adaptation of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy, but later both the projects got shelved.

Buddha

Kapur tentatively planned to direct a movie of the life of the Buddha, titled Buddha, but the plans were dropped for unstated reasons.

Larklight film adaptation

He planned to adapt Larklight, a book by Philip Reeve. Kapur traveled to Armenia to explore the possibility of making a film about the Armenian genocide. In an interview with Associated Content, Kapur announced he is no longer attached to Larklight.

Paani

In December 2002, Shekhar Kapur announced that his next project would be titled Paani, describing it as a "futuristic Blade Runner-type script based on India's haves and have nots". He revealed that the story would be based 60 years from the present in a hypothetical time when water has run out, and he noted that he thought of the theme when he was making Bandit Queen (1994). A team including scriptwriter Andrew Niccol, music composer A. R. Rahman, editor Jill Bilcock and production designer John Myhre was announced for the project. In 2003, Vivek Oberoi was approached to play the lead role in the film, but the project did not materialise.

In November 2007, Kapur announced his disappointment that the film had failed to find producers and revealed that he was keen to produce it. Reports throughout the late 2000s suggested that producers including Barrie Osborne and Danny Boyle were interested in the project but no official announcement from a studio was made. Kapur later revealed concept posters of the film and held a press conference at the Marche du Film of the Cannes Film Festival in 2010 in attempt to find financiers. Later in the year, Kapur began negotiations with Yash Raj Films to be the producers and for Hrithik Roshan to be the lead actor of the film.

In November 2012, Kapur's collaboration with Yash Raj Films and producer Aditya Chopra was confirmed. Discussions with Roshan continued in late 2012 but Kapur later revealed that the script and the actor had evolved with time, and there was no longer a match between the actor and the script. Ranbir Kapoor was considered for the film, then Sushant Singh Rajput was signed in September 2013. Kapur denied media reports that actresses Monica Bellucci and Anushka Sharma were approached to play the leading female role. Reports regarding the film's casting continued throughout 2014 and 2015 with actresses Kristen Stewart, Emma Watson, Jennifer Lawrence, Kangana Ranaut, Ayesha Kapur and Rekha speculated as being a part of the cast. John Travolta also revealed that Kapur had approached him for a role in the film. The delay in the film's production had led to Rajput opting out of twelve other projects. The actor had become involved in the making of the film, with Kapur noting that Rajput was "fully immersed in the character" and that the project had become an "addiction" for him.

By June 2015, Kapur and producer Chopra decided not to collaborate on the film owing to creative disagreements, especially on the casting of Rajput in the lead role. Rajput had been sidelined by Chopra on other films by Yash Raj Films, including Befikre (2016). Kapur suggested that he would seek international financiers because he felt producers in the Indian film industry were failing to relate to the film's core theme. The project was shelved by April 2017, but the success of Baahubali: The Beginning (2017) prompted Kapur to resume his plans of making the film in late 2017, potentially with Ranveer Singh in the lead role. As of 2022, the film remains unmade, with Kapur's noting that he would dedicate the film to Rajput, who died in 2020, if it is made.

Solace

In 2005, Kapur signed to direct the mystery thriller Solace, with Bruce Willis attached to star.

The Nine o'Clock War

One of his projects was a film tentatively titled The Nine o'Clock War. He had planned this project with his longtime friend and previous collaborator Heath Ledger in the role of a popular television news anchor. It never happened as a result of the actor's unexpected death in 2008.

TV series about Cleopatra

In 2015, He was set to direct a series titled Cleopatra about Cleopatra of ancient Egypt, developed by David Ellender's Slingshot Global Media. It was reported that Jennifer Lawrence would star as Cleopatra. The project later got shelved.

Bruce Lee biopic

It was announced that he will direct Little Dragon, an authorized biopic of martial arts legend Bruce Lee. As of 2024, there is no information regarding the project.

Abandoned projects

Joshilaay

He was originally the director of the 1989 film Joshilaay, which starred Sunny Deol, Anil Kapoor, Sridevi and Meenakshi Sheshadri, then he left the production halfway, and its producer Sibti Hassan Rizvi completed the film.

Barsaat

In 1992, he had shot some scenes for Barsaat, which originally was titled Champion, and it was going to be the debut film of Bobby Deol, but he left the production and was replaced by Rajkumar Santoshi.

Dushmani

In 1995, he partly directed Dushmani, starring Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff and Manisha Koirala, then its producer Bunty Soorma completed the film.

Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja

Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja was announced in 1987 with Shekhar as the director, but he left the film stating "it (film) lacked soul." He was replaced by Satish Kaushik.

Prem

Shekhar was attached as a director. He convinced Tabu to stay in India and abandon her plans for her higher studies for this film but he never got on board with the project as a director. Later, Satish Kaushik directed the film.

Raja

This movie was supposed to be Shekhar's debut directorial, but he did not direct this movie for unknown reasons and it was directed by Indra Kumar. Sanjay Kapoor shared in an interview "Shekhar Kapur was initially supposed to direct Prem...the problem with Shekhar is that he is a very lazy guy, which is why he has made such few films over 30 years. He never wanted to start it, and that led to my frustration."

Superman Lives

Kapur was offered to direct Superman Lives after Tim Burton had dropped out, but he turned it down.

See also

• Works of Shekhar Kapur

References

1. "Time Machine Rushes – Aamir Khan, Raveena Tandon, Rekha, Naseeruddin Shah, Shekhar Kapur". YouTube. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
2. Vajir Singh (1 February 2008). "Shekhar Kapur to revive Time Machine". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
3. Ramachandran, Naman (7 December 2017). "IFFAM: Shekhar Kapur Talks 'Little Dragon,' 'Elizabeth: The Dark Age'". Variety. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
4. "Kung Fu Monkey: Futurism vs. Futuruisn't". Kfmonkey.blogspot.com. 17 July 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
5. "rediff.com: Movies: Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur on Paani". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
6. "rediff.com: Movies: Rahman will score for Shekhar Kapur's Paani". www.rediff.com. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
7. "Bollywood gossip".
8. "Shekhar Kapur: Sexy at 62". 30 November 2007.
9. Jha, Subhash K. "Papa kehte hain - Times of India". The Times of India.
10. Matt Ford (2008-10-26). "Eco-horror films shocking us into action". CNN. Retrieved 2022-09-07.
11. "NEWS: Kapur finishes Paani script". 9 March 2011.
12. "Shekhar Kapur, exclusive interview - Festival de Cannes". 18 May 2010.
13. https://www.masala.com/bollywood-news/first-look-of-shekhar-kapurs-paani-21586#!
14. Kumar, Anuj (3 December 2010). "The Saturday Interview - Shekhar, the seeker". The Hindu.
15. "Paani written 15 years ago: Shekhar Kapur".
16. "Shekhar Kapur Taps Yash Raj Films for 'Paani'". The Hollywood Reporter. 30 November 2012.
17. "'Paani' is a love story: Shekhar Kapur". 7 December 2012.
18. "It's lifelong dream to work with Shekhar: Hrithik Roshan". 8 December 2012.
19. "I have no idea why I am not doing Paani - Hrithik Roshan".
20. "Sushant Singh Rajput Lands Lead Role in Shekhar Kapur's 'Paani'". 16 September 2013.
21. "Has Ranbir Kapoor replaced Hrithik Roshan in Shekhar Kapur's Paani?".
22. https://www.pressreader.com/india/ht-cafe/20121207/281505043526420
23. "Anushka Sharma not to star in Shekhar Kapur's Paani". 19 March 2013.
24. "Ayesha Kapur to star opposite Sushant Singh Rajput in Shekhar Kapur's Paani!". 18 September 2014.
25. "Rekha in Shekhar Kapur's Paani?".
26. "Kangana Ranaut offered 85 year old's role in Shekhar Kapur's film". The Hindu. 3 November 2015.
27. "Hollywood actor John Travolta in Shekhar Kapur's Paani". 27 April 2014.
28. "I gave up six films for Paani: Sushant Singh Rajput". 15 September 2015.
29. "Sushant Singh Rajput upset with Shekhar Kapur for reviving 'Paani' with Ranveer Singh?".
30. "'Sushant Singh Rajput cried a lot when he found out Paani has been shelved, we both did': Shekhar Kapur". 16 June 2020.
31. "Shekhar Kapur's futuristic film 'Paani' shelved". 18 June 2015.
32. "'Hum nahi banayenge Sushant ke saath': Shekhar Kapur reveals why 'Paani' producers shelved the film".
33. "Will take 'Paani' overseas if don't get Indian makers: Shekhar Kapur". 23 November 2015.
34. "I'm devastated that Paani didn't get made: Shekhar Kapur comforts Sushant". 19 April 2017.
35. "I am definitely making Paani now, says Shekhar Kapur". 11 January 2019.
36. "Not Sushant Singh Rajput, Ranveer Singh might be lead in Shekhar Kapur's Paani". 5 October 2017.
37. "Shekhar Kapur on why projects like Sushant Singh Rajput-starrer Paani fall apart: 'The ambitions are different'". 13 January 2022.
38. "Director Finds Solace". IGN. March 17, 2005. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
39. "Shekhar Kapur, on his buddy Heath Ledger". REDIFF. February 26, 2008.
40. Express Web Desk (10 May 2017). "This throwback picture of Shekhar Kapur and Heath Ledger takes us on a nostalgic ride". Indian Express. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
41. TOI (June 16, 2020). "Did you know that Heath Ledger has asked Shekhar Kapur to wake him up the morning he was found dead". Times of India. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
42. Carolyn Cox (August 19, 2015). "Shekhar Kapur to Direct a Cleopatra Series". The Mary Sue.
43. Katie Millington (24 September 2015). "Jennifer Lawrence to star in Shekhar Kapur drama". Desi Blitz.
44. Petski, Denise (18 August 2015). "'Cleopatra' Series In The Works At Slingshot Global Media". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
45. Frater, Patrick (8 May 2017). "Shekhar Kapur to Direct Authorized Bruce Lee Biopic 'Little Dragon'".
46. "In fearless pursuit..." The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 February 2003.
47. "Shekhar Kapur moves out after Bandit Queen". filmnirvana.com. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
48. IANS (April 16, 2020). "Satish Kaushik opens up on directorial debut Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja and its failure". Koimoi. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
49. Pink Villa. "Shekhar Kapur was set to direct Tabu and Sanjay Kapoor starrer Prem". Retrieved April 21, 2022.
50. "Shekhar Kapur's unfulfilled dreams". Cinestaan.
51. Mike White. "Superman: Grounded". Cahiers du cinéma. Archived from the original on February 16, 2008. Retrieved February 3, 2008.

External links

• Shekhar Kapur's unrealized projects at IMDb 

• Lists of unrealized projects by artist