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There is no ego between me and YRF: Ritesh Sidhwani

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Press Trust of India Mumbai
Producer Ritesh Sidhwani says he is open to discussing the impending box-office clash of his Shah Rukh Khan-starrer "Raees" with Salman Khan-led "Sultan" with Yash Raj Films' head Aditya Chopra.

The Excel Entertainment honcho said releasing the two big films will not be beneficial for anyone.

"Right now, I have full intention to release 'Raees' on Eid next year. 90 per cent of the shoot is over. By November, the film will be complete. There is no ego. I am very fond of Yash Raj films and close to them," Ritesh told PTI.

"I have not got a chance to speak to them but let them start filming 'Sultan'. Maybe Salman, me, Shah Rukh, Farhan and Adi should sit down together and discuss it. It is not beneficial for either one of us to come on the same day. Business of both the films will be hampered. We will take a call."
 

"Raees", also starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pakistani actress Mahira Khan in her Bollywood debut, is being directed by Rahul Dholakia.

"Sultan", which will see Salman as a wrestler for the first time on the big screen, will be directed by Ali Abbas Zafar of "Mere Brother Ki Dulhan". The movie will begin shooting later this year.

The filmmaker said it did not take him much time to convince Shah Rukh, 49, for "Raees" as he got hooked by the line, 'Baniye Ka dimaag aur miyanbhai ki daring', which also featured on the film's first poster.

"I called up Shah Rukh and told him there is this director Rahul Dholakia, who has made fine films. I told him the script is wonderful and exciting. I just gave him one line from the film 'Baniye ka dimaag and miyanbhai ki daring'.

"He said, 'I am doing the film'. That's exactly what happened and we both started laughing on the phone. He heard the script after a few weeks and said 'Let's start shooting the film'," Ritesh said.

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First Published: Aug 07 2015 | 2:28 PM IST

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