The Truth About Anees Bazmee And Section 108

Rumours have been doing the rounds that director Anees Bazmee is quitting as presenter of Section 108, starring Regina Cassandra and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, which is due to hit theatres early next year. Here’s the truth from the horse’s mouth…

Are you really quitting as presenter of Section 108?

I got involved in Section 108 because of a friend named Saif. You know me; I am basically an emotional person. I go out of my way to do things for my friends. Just recently, I walked the ramp for one of my friends. I am not an image-conscious person. I decided to walk the ramp even if the audience would laugh at me. I just wanted to help my friend. In a similar way, I turned presenter for that film in support of my friend. But subsequently, I didn’t feel I should continue being the presenter. So, I decided to quit.

But why?

The script and everything else was good but there was a hitch from my side because of the title, and so I quit as the presenter.

Is the film being continued?

I don’t know anything about that. (The first schedule of the film directed by Rasikh Khan was wrapped up sometime in the first week of November.)

Anees talks about the much-awaited franchise Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3

When will shooting start?

We have decided to take the film on the floors by the middle of March next year.

Where the casting stands:

Right now we have only cast the main male lead – Kartik Aaryan. We are still at the thinking and planning stage for the female lead.

On casting Manjulika:

Wahi aa kar sui attki hui hai.

On pressures over the franchise:

There are a lot of expectations and we will be very careful to cast the right Manjulika.