10 Facts About Shashank Khaitan

Shashank Khaitan is an Indian film writer, director, actor and producer who works in Hindi films.

Shashank Khaitan is known for his association with Dharma Productions through the Dulhania films starring Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt, having earned a Filmfare Award for Best Director nomination for the latter, and the romantic drama Dhadak, a remake of the Zee Studios production Sairat, which introduced Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor.

Shashank Khaitan was initially more interested in sports, playing in cricket and tennis tournaments.

Shashank Khaitan joined Whistling Woods International Institute, a film institute started and supported by veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai, to break into the film industry.

Shashank Khaitan made a brief appearance in Disney's ABCD 2, a sequel to the dance-drama ABCD: Any Body Can Dance.

Shashank Khaitan made his directional debut with the romantic comedy Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.

Shashank Khaitan cited Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Casablanca as inspiration for his script, and the film itself pays homage to DDLJ as well as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

Shashank Khaitan had begun co-writing the script for the Hindi adaptation of John Green's 2012 novel The Fault in Our Stars with the intent to direct it for Dharma Productions with Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter as leads in 2017.

Shashank Khaitan was to direct Dhawan and Kapoor again alongside Bhumi Pednekar in what was touted to be the spy thriller Mr Lele, but the project was indefinitely postponed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he later reportedly revived it as a comedy thriller titled Govinda Naam Mera ; starring Vicky Kaushal as the titular character instead of Dhawan, Kiara Advani instead of Kapoor, and Pednekar, it was streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.

Shashank Khaitan next wrote the story and screenplay for Johar's comeback film as director, the romantic comedy drama Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, starring Ranveer Singh and Bhatt, with Dhawan making a cameo appearance in a song.