The highly anticipated Hindi remake of The Intern is moving ahead with a major casting change. Deepika Padukone, who was originally set to star opposite Amitabh Bachchan, will no longer appear as an actor in the film. Instead, she will concentrate fully on producing the project under her banner, KA Productions.
The exact reason behind Deepika’s decision remains unclear. However, it is confirmed that her stepping away from the acting role is not due to her involvement in Allu Arjun and Atlee’s upcoming film, as she continues to be deeply invested in The Intern as a producer.
Amitabh Bachchan Took THIS Actor’s Place In The Intern
The Intern is based on the 2015 Hollywood hit starring Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro. It has faced multiple delays since KA Productions acquired the remake rights in 2020. Initially, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor was to play the senior lead. His untimely passing left the project without a lead until Amitabh Bachchan joined.
Despite renewed excitement, filming had not started due to the pandemic, Deepika’s maternity leave, and other scheduling conflicts. For nearly five years, the project remained in limbo, despite having big names and strong studio backing.
New Lead Actress To Be Cast To Replace Deepika Padukone
A source close to the film’s development told Mid-Day, “Deepika will step away from acting in the film to serve solely as a producer, overseeing the creative and logistical reboot. A new leading lady is being cast to play the role she was once slated for.”
The source also shared that Deepika is embracing this new role to broaden her creative influence. “The Intern is the first of five projects she plans to produce in the coming year. She is looking to tell stories that are globally relevant.”
Back in 2020, Deepika described The Intern as “an intimate, relationship-driven film, set in and around the workplace; a story that I believe is very relevant to the present-day social and cultural environment.” She had expressed excitement about the project as a “light, breezy comedy-drama” that fits well with today’s world.
About The Intern Co-Produced By Deepika Padukone
According to Deepika’s Instagram update in 2021, The Intern remake is a co-production between Sunil Kheterpal, Warner Brothers India, KA Productions, and Azure Entertainment. Amit Ravindernath Sharma was slated to direct, with the film originally targeting a summer 2022 release.
The original Intern story has inspired adaptations worldwide. Notably, a Japanese TV version titled Unicorn Ni Notte aired in 2022, featuring Hidetoshi Nishijima in the Robert De Niro role and Mei Nagano as the Anne Hathaway character.
