Actress who said yes went off to America: Did Ektaa offer Naagin film to Priyanka?
Ektaa Kapoor hinted an actor once said yes to her Naagin film but later left for America. Was it Priyanka Chopra? Here's what the producer revealed about the casting.
Film producer Ektaa Kapoor has hinted that actor Priyanka Chopra had agreed to star in a film adaptation of the Naagin folklore before the project was reimagined as a television series. Without taking any names, she explained that the original plan was to create a feature film built around the iconic Indian myth, but shifts in circumstances led to a change in direction.
As a result, the story was ultimately adapted into a television show that would go on to become one of Indian TV's most enduring franchises.
ORIGINS OF THE NAAGIN FILM PROJECT
In an interview with Usha Kakade Productions, Ektaa shared, "I first wanted to make a film called Naagin. I had gone to two big stars with the story- one said yes, the other refused. The actress who said yes later went off to America. That’s when I decided to turn Naagin into a television show."
She did not name the actors in her most recent interview. However, in an earlier interview, Ektaa had identified Priyanka as the actor who agreed, and Katrina Kaif as the one who declined.
Speaking to Film Companion, Ektaa recalled, "After The Dirty Picture, I wanted to make Naagin as a film," adding, "I went to Katrina and told her I wanted to do something path-breaking. When I said Naagin, she looked at me like I had smoked something really nice. She asked, 'Are you serious? Will people watch something called Naagin today?' Then I went to Priyanka- it was around the time she was moving abroad."
NAAGIN'S SUCCESS AS A TELEVISION FRANCHISE
The Naagin film never materialised, but the 2015 launch of the television adaptation starring Mouni Roy marked a turning point. The series rapidly gained popularity, leading to multiple seasons and establishing itself as a key fixture in Indian television. Currently, the show is running its seventh season.
FUTURE OF THE NAAGIN FRANCHISE
Balaji Telefilms is now exploring the possibility of adapting the Naagin franchise once again for the big screen. The source told India Today, "Given the brand’s long-standing popularity and cinematic scale, the makers are exploring the possibility of adapting the franchise into a feature film, with the aim of reimagining the mythology for the big screen. The conversation is in the initial stage, but with the experience the team has had building seven successful seasons, it seems like the plan will turn into reality soon.”
Other filmmakers have also shown interest in the Naagin theme. Producer Nikhil Dwivedi had previously announced a separate Naagin film starring Shraddha Kapoor, though the project has yet to progress.
Meanwhile, Karan Johar and Mahaveer Jain Films are developing a fantasy comedy titled Naagzilla, with Kartik Aaryan set to play a shape-shifting snake. The film is slated for release on August 14.