Lack of funds puts Govinda`s `Naughty @ Forty` on hold

New Delhi: Jagmohan Mundhra`s `Naughty @ 40` is currently on hold but the director has denied reports that the delay is being caused by the film`s leading star Govinda.

The film was launched with much fanfare two years back but, as things stand today, it is yet to cross the finish line even though Mundhra has completed and released two films in the interim - `Apartment` and `Chase`. The industry is abuzz with rumours that Govinda has delayed the film`s shoot but according to Mundhra, the project is on hold because the producers are finding it difficult to raise money. "It is so unfortunate that people believe Govinda is creating delay. The trouble is that my producer is facing some difficulty in raising money for the film. In last couple of years, the industry has lost so much money and the ripple effect can be felt everywhere. This is the reason why `Naughty @ 40` is on hold," Mundhra, who doesn`t have any new film on floor, told reporters. Meanwhile, Govinda is looking forward to the release of Mani Ratnam`s `Raavan` which is up for release soon. But the director is not letting the delay in the release of `Naughty @ 40` dampen his spirits. "I am sure `Naughty @ 40` will get completed in due course of time and would be much talked about on it`s release. Govinda is fantastic in it. It is very exciting to do something by picking up an idea which is in your head and then transferring it the screen," he added. Mundhra, who moved on from erotic films to hard-hitting issues with Aishwarya Rai starrer `Provoked` and Nandita Das starrer `Bawandar`, is looking forward to his first comedy with `Naughty @ 40`. "I never thought that I would be able to deliver a film which would follow the Govinda brand of comedy. From the reactions that I have fetched from people who have seen the completed portions of the film, I guess I haven`t done bad. Govinda too has seen the part that we have shot and is quite happy with the results," Mundhra said. Still, what remains to be seen is a 100 per cent product which appears to be far away from being achieved. "Well, we have finished 60 per cent and are now waiting for the next schedule in Punjab. Let`s see when that happens," said Mundhra. "Anuj Sharma, brother of Anil Sharma, is producing the film and is trying hard to get the funds. We did so well in the first schedule at London. I can`t wait to take the film forward." Meanwhile, Mundhra has three stories and plans to begin shoot on them soon. "There is one film which is a romantic comedy. Another is a film which is set in a small town. Then this third film is a heroine centric film. It has a powerful role for any leading lady, something like what Aishwarya Rai and Nandita Das did in `Provoked` and `Bawandar`." PTI