Kriti Sanon drops a FIRST pic with Akshay Kumar aka Bachchan Pandey as she announces schedule wrap for her

After shooting with Akshay Kumar in Jaisalmer for over a month for Bachchan Pandey, Kriti Sanon returned to Mumbai on Saturday. And today, she began her day by announcing the schedule wrap for herself on the film, Bachchan Pandey. With it, Kriti penned a note for the cast and crew with whom she shot for the film and also shared an unseen photo with her co-star and superstar Akshay Kumar, in his Bachchan Pandey avatar. The actress thanked everyone in a heartfelt note as she called it a schedule wrap for herself. Taking to her Instagram handle, Kriti shared the first photo of her and Akshay together from Bachchan Pandey. She will be seen essaying the role of ‘Myra’ in the film while Akshay will be seen playing the titular character. Sharing the photo, Kriti expressed how time flew past while shooting in Jaisalmer with Akshay and others. She recalled the fun lunches and dinners at their resort in Jaisalmer when they were shooting in Rajasthan for the action comedy. She also expressed excitement to see fans in theatres next with Bachchan Pandey. Sharing a note, Kriti wrote, “And its a schedule wrap for me with @akshaykumar for SajidNadiadwala’s #BachchanPandey directed by @farhadsamji .. @wardakhannadiadwala One of the bestest, most fun and memorable schedules i have had so far.. Time just flew and we ended up making a film in between the echoing laughters, gaming sessions and neverending lunches and dinners as we all became one family! It was surely the saddest Goodbye from the beautiful Suryagarh Palace.. but we shall meet again soon!Can’t wait to see you guys in Cinemas!” Take a look at Kriti and Akshay’s photo:

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A post shared by Kriti (@kritisanon)

Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, Kriti along with Sajid Nadiadwala and his family returned to Mumbai after completing a schedule of the film. The film also stars Arshad Warsi, Prateik Babbar, Jacqueline Fernandez. It is helmed by Farhad Samji and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. It stars Akshay as a gangster who aspires to be an actor. It is all set to release on January 26, 2022.

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From Jaisalmer to the Big Screen: Kriti Sanon’s Schedule Wrap and the Unveiling of Bachchhan Paandey

The world of Bollywood thrives on excitement, and few things generate more buzz than the first official glimpse of a much-anticipated star pairing in their on-screen avatars. The announcement of a schedule wrap is a routine production update, but in early 2021, when Kriti Sanon posted a heartfelt message and a striking picture alongside Akshay Kumar, it became a moment of major cinematic revelation. The picture not only confirmed the conclusion of her shoot for the film but also offered the very first, evocative look at the unique dynamic that would drive the action-comedy, Bachchhan Paandey.

This moment served as a pivotal point in the movie’s marketing, immediately setting the tone for the contrasting worldviews of the film’s lead characters: the ruthless gangster and the determined filmmaker.

The Instagram Post That Broke the Internet

On a Monday morning in February 2021, the social media feeds of Bollywood enthusiasts lit up with a post from Kriti Sanon. She officially announced the wrap of her portion for Sajid Nadiadwala’s big-budget production, Bachchhan Paandey, directed by Farhad Samji.

The photograph she shared was compelling. It featured Akshay Kumar as the menacing, one-eyed titular gangster, Bachchhan Paandey, sporting his distinctive rugged look, a thick stubble, and a black bandana. Standing beside him, in stark contrast, was Kriti Sanon’s character, Myra Devekar, looking determined yet elegant in a traditional saree, capturing a fascinating visual clash between the rustic, violent world of the gangster and the refined, ambitious world of the filmmaker.

Kriti’s caption was far more than just a wrap-up notice; it was an emotional testament to the filming experience. She wrote of the camaraderie and joy that defined the shooting process:

• “One of the bestest, most fun and memorable schedules I have had so far.”
• She noted that the team “ended up making a film in between the echoing laughters, gaming sessions and never-ending lunches and dinners as we all became one family!”.
• She expressed her sadness at leaving the beautiful location, which was the Suryagarh Palace in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

This post successfully shifted the focus from a mere production schedule to the deep personal bonds forged on set, promising audiences that the fun behind the scenes would translate into an entertaining experience on the screen.

The Unique Dynamic: The Gangster and the Director

The first-look picture was strategically powerful as it perfectly encapsulated the central conflict and relationship of Bachchhan Paandey. The film’s narrative is built on the unusual premise of a budding director crossing paths with a dreaded criminal.

Kriti Sanon as Myra Devekar

Kriti Sanon plays Myra Devekar, an aspiring director given a challenge by her producer to create a gripping and commercially viable gangster story. Driven by her desire for a realistic script, her extensive research leads her to the ruthless gangster, Bachchhan Paandey, in the fictional town of Baghwa.

Myra’s role is that of the quintessential outsider—a modern, ambitious professional who dares to infiltrate a highly dangerous and volatile world for the sake of her art. Her character is the audience’s window into the life of the larger-than-life Bachchhan Paandey, making her the intellectual and emotional driver of the plot.

Akshay Kumar as Bachchhan Paandey

Akshay Kumar takes on the menacing and complex character of the titular gangster. Known for his cold-blooded nature and signature one-eyed look, Bachchhan Paandey is a character with a surprising hidden desire: he secretly yearns to be an actor.

The film’s central conflict revolves around Myra’s attempts to study and document Bachchhan Paandey’s life for her film, a discreet process that eventually fails, leading her to be caught by the merciless gangster. The comedy and action derive from the bizarre situation where a director is attempting to teach a hardened criminal and his quirky gang how to ‘act’ in a biopic about his own life. The clash of their worlds—Myra’s ambition versus Bachchhan’s brutality—is what the first look perfectly showcased.

An Ensemble Cast and High-Octane Production

Beyond the lead pair, Bachchhan Paandey boasted a robust ensemble cast and a high-profile production team, solidifying its status as a major theatrical release.

• Director: Farhad Samji (known for his work in the comedy genre).
• Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala’s Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment.
• Key Supporting Cast: The film featured a line-up of talented actors who added layers of comedy and drama:
  • Arshad Warsi as Vishwakant Mhatre (Vishu), Myra’s best friend who reluctantly helps her in Baghwa.
  • Jacqueline Fernandez as Sophie, Bachchhan Paandey’s late girlfriend.
  • Pankaj Tripathi as Guruji Bhavesh Bhoplo, the acting coach brought in to train the gangster and his crew.
  • Prateik Babbar, Sanjay Mishra, and Abhimanyu Singh as members of Bachchhan Paandey’s quirky yet scary gang.

The film is an official remake of the 2014 Tamil film Jigarthanda, which itself was inspired by the 2006 South Korean film A Dirty Carnival.

The Magical Backdrop of Jaisalmer

Kriti Sanon’s mention of the “saddest Goodbye from the beautiful Suryagarh Palace” highlighted the stunning location chosen for the shoot. Jaisalmer, with its majestic forts, golden sand dunes, and regal palaces, provided the perfect cinematic backdrop for the fictional town of Baghwa. The extensive shoot in Rajasthan was integral to establishing the rugged, larger-than-life atmosphere necessary for a story centered on a ruthless rural gangster. The choice of an opulent yet ancient setting like the Suryagarh Palace further enhanced the visual richness and scale of the Nadiadwala Grandson production.

The schedule wrap announcement, therefore, was not just about Kriti Sanon’s journey with the film; it was the signal that a major portion of this ambitious project, featuring a star-studded cast and a grand vision, was successfully nearing completion.

The Road to Release

The film, originally announced with the title ‘Bachchan Pandey’, later changed to Bachchhan Paandey and was initially slated for a release around Christmas 2020. However, the production schedule was disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to multiple postponements. Following the wrap of Kriti Sanon’s portion and the eventual completion of the film, Bachchhan Paandey finally made its theatrical debut on March 18, 2022, strategically coinciding with the festival of Holi.

Although the movie received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, emerging as a box-office bomb, the early glimpses, particularly Kriti’s schedule wrap photo, successfully generated significant hype and anticipation, proving the power of a striking character reveal and a behind-the-scenes peek into a star-studded set. The photo remains a memorable piece of Bollywood trivia—a beautiful capture of two disparate worlds, the gangster and the director, about to collide on the silver screen.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

1. Who did Kriti Sanon play in Bachchhan Paandey?

Kriti Sanon played the character of Myra Devekar in Bachchhan Paandey. Myra is an aspiring filmmaker/director who travels to the town of Baghwa to research the life of the notorious gangster Bachchhan Paandey for a film she wishes to make.

2. When did Kriti Sanon wrap her schedule for Bachchhan Paandey?

Kriti Sanon announced her schedule wrap for Bachchhan Paandey in February 2021. She shared the news, along with the first picture with Akshay Kumar from the film, via her social media accounts.

3. What was the central plot of Bachchhan Paandey?

The plot of Bachchhan Paandey revolves around Myra Devekar (Kriti Sanon), a budding director, who decides to make a realistic film based on the life of the menacing, one-eyed gangster Bachchhan Paandey (Akshay Kumar). She enlists the help of her friend Vishu (Arshad Warsi) to discretely research the gangster’s life, which leads to a comical and action-packed clash when she is discovered by the ruthless criminal.

4. Who were the main cast members of Bachchhan Paandey?

The main cast of Bachchhan Paandey included:

• Akshay Kumar as Bachchhan Paandey (the gangster).
• Kriti Sanon as Myra Devekar (the director).
• Arshad Warsi as Vishwakant Mhatre (Vishu).
• Jacqueline Fernandez as Sophie.
• Pankaj Tripathi as Guruji Bhavesh Bhoplo.

5. Where was the major portion of Bachchhan Paandey filmed?

The major portion of the film’s schedule, where Kriti Sanon’s wrap took place, was filmed in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The Suryagarh Palace in Jaisalmer was noted by Kriti Sanon as the primary location for the shoot.

6. Is Bachchhan Paandey a remake of a South Indian movie?

Yes, Bachchhan Paandey is an official remake of the 2014 Tamil-language film Jigarthanda.