Is Raj & DK's 'Gulkanda Tales' not happening? Find out
What's the story
Amazon Prime Video has reportedly decided to shelve the upcoming series Gulkanda Tales, produced by renowned filmmakers Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK (Raj & DK).
The decision comes amid concerns over the show's content and increased production costs due to reshoots and re-edits.
Despite being fully filmed, the series may not be released shortly.
An insider told Bollywood Hungama that "none of this will be acceptable in today's atmosphere."
Content controversy
'Gulkanda Tales' faced criticism for its content
Gulkanda Tales, a period sex comedy starring Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Kunal Kemmu, has been facing backlash for its content.
However, a source associated with the project defended the show saying it is "fiction" and has a "funny take on feminism and how misogyny is dealt with."
Despite these claims, the show's humor and treatment of sensitive topics have concerned Prime Video management.
Budget concerns
'Gulkanda Tales' production costs soared due to reshoots
Reportedly, the production costs for Gulkanda Tales have skyrocketed due to extensive reshoots and re-edits. The budget has reached a staggering ₹120 crore, which has raised concerns among the management of Prime Video.
The series was announced over two years ago but has been delayed due to these issues. Despite being fully filmed, it remains uncertain when or if the show will be released on the streaming platform.
Project troubles
Meanwhile, Raj-DK's other projects are also facing challenges
Apart from Gulkanda Tales, Raj & DK are also struggling with their other projects.
Their spy thriller series Citadel: Honey Bunny, which was Varun Dhawan's OTT debut, got a lukewarm response. Industry sources say the show might not get renewed for another season due to high production costs.
Further, financial irregularities were detected in the production of their upcoming show Rakt Bramhand, prompting Netflix to launch an investigation.