Ludo will stream on Netflix. (Photo: Netflix)Filmmaker Anurag Basu is back after three years with Ludo. The anthology film brings together Abhishek Bachchan, Pankaj Tripathi, Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Shalini Vats, Aditya Roy Kapur, Rohit Saraf, Inayat Verma and Asha Negi. Written and directed by Basu, Ludo will premiere today at 1:30 pm on Netflix.
Abhishek Bachchan plays a naive kidnapper Bittu, who turns over a new leaf after he meets six-year-old Mini. While Rajkummar Rao essays the role of a conman, Pankaj Tripathi is once again seen wielding guns. The official synopsis of the film reads, “They say you don’t meet people by accident, they are meant to cross your path for a reason. Following the journey of four different people who meet at a crossroads, Ludo is much more than just a mere coincidence.”
Speaking about Anurag Basu’s intuitive style of filmmaking, Abhishek said, “Everybody associated with the film had the greed to work with Dada. He is somebody whose work I have admired, and we had been trying to work together for many years. It was a no-brainer. In life, it’s also nice to sometimes just take a leap of faith. It’s nice to do work which takes you back to your training. Working with him is a lot like that because of the process that he has. He doesn’t over-brief his actors. He wants their performances to be instinctive and their reactions to be as natural as possible.”
“People might think, ‘Arey! Dada doesn’t tell us this or that. We don’t know when he will shoot.’ But that’s a part of his process because he wants as pure an emotion to come out. That’s the film he has made. Such a pure, clean film. This all happened because people have blind faith in him,” the actor added.
Ludo has been bankrolled by T-Series and Anurag Basu Productions.
Bhushan Kumar of T-Series said, "Ludo takes you on multiple journeys in the course of a couple of hours, introducing you to characters that will stay with you long after the film is over. Each actor in the film has brought a unique flavor to his or her story, which I don't think anyone else could have done justice to. Working with Dada (Anurag Basu) is a process I enjoy thoroughly. I’m eager for audiences across the world to watch this fun-filled caper on Netflix, our incredible partner in this journey."
Speaking about his latest release, director Anurag Basu said, "Ludo is unlike any film I’ve made before. It's been an adventure. It was fantastic working with such a talented ensemble - where each actor brought a unique vision and craft. Pritam, one of my closest collaborators, who I have worked with on so many projects, worked closely with me to bring this film to life and I am so grateful to him. T Series have been fantastic partners through this process and I’m excited that Ludo is getting a global audience with Netflix and hope that they enjoy this Diwali entertainer with their families."
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap tweeted, "Ludo” is so much fun .. Dada in full form as writer, actor, cinematographer and director. Super writing and performances all over .. so funny and expect the unexpected. Some insane gems scattered throughout."