It has been nearly six years since the Hindi remake of The Intern was announced, but the much-discussed project is yet to begin production. While the Indian adaptation continues to remain in limbo, the Korean version of the Hollywood film has already completed its shoot and is gearing up for a theatrical release across Asian markets on October 1, 2026.
The contrasting progress of the two adaptations has once again brought attention to the long-delayed Bollywood project.
A Project Hit by Multiple Setbacks
The Hindi remake initially brought together Rishi Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. The project generated considerable interest following its announcement, but plans changed dramatically after the unfortunate demise of Rishi Kapoor.
Amitabh Bachchan subsequently came on board to take over the veteran actor’s role. His association kept the project alive, but another major change was still waiting to happen.
Deepika Padukone eventually decided to step away from the female lead role. However, she continued her association with the project as a producer.
The Female Lead Remains the Missing Piece
With Deepika no longer acting in the film, the remake now requires a new actress to headline the project alongside Amitabh Bachchan.
This casting change has effectively become one of the biggest hurdles for the production. Although the Hindi remake has not officially been shelved, there has been little concrete movement toward taking it onto the floors.
The rights to the adaptation continue to remain with Warner Bros. India and KA Productions, while Amitabh Bachchan is still associated with the project.
Korean Remake Moves Ahead
The situation looks very different in South Korea. The Korean adaptation of The Intern has already completed filming and is scheduled to arrive in Asian cinemas on October 1, 2026.
This development makes the prolonged delay of the Hindi version even more noticeable. While another international adaptation is preparing for its theatrical debut, the Indian remake is still waiting for a fresh casting decision and a confirmed production schedule.
Release Could Be Years Away
Even if the Hindi version manages to overcome its current hurdles and begins filming in the near future, a theatrical release before 2027 appears increasingly difficult.
Given the project’s history of delays, a 2028 release cannot be ruled out if production takes additional time to commence and the post-production process extends further.
For now, the remake remains technically alive, but its future depends heavily on finding a new female lead and getting the long-delayed production back on track.
After six years of uncertainty, audiences are still waiting to see whether Deepika Padukone’s version of The Intern will finally make it from the announcement stage to the big screen.
