Jewel of India with Amitabh Bachchan, De Niro, Al Pacino?

Even before cousin Sajid Nadiadwala’s Kambhakht Ishq aka Incredible Love is ready for release, Firoz Nadiadwala has announced the launch of Jewel of India, another Bollywood – Hollywood venture.

Jewel of India is said to be directed by Rob Cohen,  director of Fast And The Furious (2001), Stealth (2005), The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008).

Firoz Nadiadwala’s Jewel of India will be produced at an estimated cost of Rs. 300 crore. The film has barely been announced, but there are wild speculations in the media about a star cast that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes, Monica Belluci, and so on. The names were bandied about after Nadiadwala made a fatuous statement like, “I can’t wait to begin the film. Or for the day when Amitabh Bachchan and Al Pacino or Robert de Niro come together in one frame. It will mean the coming together of the fast and the furious.” One doesn’t know if it is wishful thinking or he really is in talks with Bachchan, Pacino, and Rober de Niro. I would put my money on the former. Although the part about Amitabh Bachchan may be true to some extent. After the wild success of Slumdog Millionaire Bachchan may want to prove a point with a successful masala Indian film directed by a foreigner.
Firoz Nadiadwala also plans to rope in stunt coordinator Dan Bradley for Jewel of India. Bradley has coordinated the stunts in A-list movies like Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3, The Bourne Ultimatum, The Bourne Supremacy, Seabiscuit, and so on.

There is not much information avaiable about the movie except that Jewel of India will be a fast paced adventure and treasure hunt, revolving around the Kohinoor diamond. A student discovers that the Kohinoor diamond in the Tower of London is a fake. As he sets out to find the diamond, the trail leads him to India.

Firoz Nadiadwala is the producer of popular films like Hera Pheri, Welcome, Phir Hera Pheri, Deewane Huye Pagal, and so on. He has also announced Hera Pheri 3, which is expected to be released in 2009.

Rob Cohen is also directing The Sea Artist, a film about modern day pirates. The Sea Artist has been penned by Tony Puryear.

Sajid Nadiadwala’s Kambhakt Ishq aka Incredible Love, the other Bollywood – Hollywood film will be produced at budget over £11 million. The movie will star Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh, Denise Richards, and Beyonce Knowles. Incredible Love will be written and directed by Sabir Khan.