It’s no secret that the leading filmmaker Karan Johar will play an antagonist in his foe-turned-friend Anurag Kashyap's much awaited next, Bombay Velvet. However, not many know about the gay twist in the tale.
Reportedly, Karan will essay the role of a rich businessman in the film. A well placed source reveals that Karan’s character in the movie will have homosexual overtones. “The villain was originally conceived as a straight character but when Karan came on board Anurag decided to rewrite the role and changed the sexual orientation to gay” reveals the source. The role was initially offered to the veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah.
Some of KJO's earlier films Kal Ho Na Ho, Dostana and recent films Student Of The Year and Bombay Talkies have had homosexual characters or references .
The director's first movie appearance was over a decade-and-half ago in the Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol-starrer Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge followed by cameos in Om Shanti Om and Luck By Chance.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma as a lead pair. The duo will play lovers whose lives intermingle with the evolution of the city of Bombay, through the 50s to early 70s.
The first film of a trilogy, as planned by Anurag Kashyap, Bombay Velvet is the story of how the city became a metropolis, set against the backdrop of love, greed, violence and Jazz.
Bombay Velvet which is expected to go on floors in July 2013 will be shot in Sri Lanka.