Aanand L Rai Confirms Gorkha Is Postponed, Denies Dispute With Akshay Kumar: He Will Be Part Of It

Aanand L. Rai refutes reports that Akshay Kumar has withdrawn from his upcoming film, 'Gorkha'.

Gorkha is based on Indian Army officer and war hero Major General Ian Cardozo.

New Delhi: Filmmaker Aanand L. Rai denies reports that Akshay Kumar withdrew from his upcoming film. The war drama 'Gorkha', based on Indian Army officer and war hero Major General Ian Cardozo—the first combat-disabled officer to command a battalion and a brigade—was first announced by Akshay Kumar last year.

The actor reportedly decided to leave the Sanjay Puran Singh movie, according to sources, after questions about the plot's authenticity were raised. Aanand L. Rai, the film's producer, has since revealed that the delay was caused by a few "technical and factual" problems.

Aanand L. Rai said in a statement to Indian Express said,“There are so many technical things that we need to take care of before we do the film. We also need to work on the factual details of the film. So, it will need the time it deserves. We can’t rush it.”

Rai's statement also comes amid rumours that Kumar would quit the movie over factual inaccuracies in the plot. The director further revealed that Akshay Kumar will be the lead in the film if 'Gorkha' is made.

“If we are doing the film then Akshay will be a part of the film. If not, we’ll work on something else,” he said. 

Previously, the first poster for the film featured a furious Akshay holding a khukri, or curled knife. An ex-Gorkha officer named Manik M. Jolly pointed out a significant mistake in the poster. He clarified how a conventional khukri was different from what was shown in the photograph.

During the 1971 conflict, Major General Cardozo allegedly used a khukri to amputate his own leg after walking on a landmine.

Akshay's upcoming projects include 'Selfiee', 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan', as well as his Marathi debut film 'Vedat Marathe Veer Daudle Saat'.