It appears that the long-delayed Hindi adaptation of The Intern has taken yet another turn. According to a report in Mid-Day, Deepika Padukone, who was
originally set to star in the film alongside Amitabh Bachchan, has decided to step away from acting in the project, but will remain onboard as its producer. The adaptation, based on the 2015 Anne Hathaway–Robert De Niro hit, was first announced in 2020 under Padukone’s KA Productions.
Deepika to only be associated with The Intern as producer
Initially, the senior role was to be played by Rishi Kapoor, but his untimely passing left the film without a lead until Amitabh Bachchan stepped in. Despite marquee names and major studio backing, the project struggled to take off due to a mix of factors - the pandemic, shifting schedules, and Padukone’s maternity break among them.
Now, after five years in limbo, the actor is making a strategic move to get the film finally rolling. A source told Mid-Day, “This time, Deepika will step away from acting in the film to serve solely as a producer, overseeing the creative and logistical reboot. A new leading lady is being cast to play the part she was once slated to perform.”
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The insider further revealed that Padukone is keen to expand her role as a storyteller and The Intern is the first of five projects she plans to mount in the coming year. The actress wants to tell globally relevant stories.
More about The Intern
The original The Intern (2015), directed by Nancy Meyers, starred Anne Hathaway as the founder of a fast-growing fashion e-commerce company and Robert De Niro as a 70-year-old widower who becomes her senior intern. The heartwarming comedy-drama explored themes of friendship, mentorship, and finding purpose at any age, becoming both a box office success and a fan favourite worldwide.
