Neeraj Pandey stuck between A Wednesday and Ekta

Rightfully, A Wednesday director Neeraj Pandey has reached the land of plenty. From the time when he had to struggle to put together his first political thriller a year back to now, when Neeraj is spoilt by choices...the director has indeed come a long way in no time.

Just when Neeraj was ready to direct a film for Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Films, his dispute with UTV over the prequel has been resolved.

UTV and Neeraj Pandey had gone into legal recourse after UTV sold off the Tamil rights of Pandey's A Wednesday. UTV apparently, also questioned Pandey's right to make a prequel to A Wednesday which he was planning.

But now the matter is settled. "I'm free to make the prequel. But I can't have the title A Wednesday. I agree the branding goes a long way in getting the audience. But I'll have the same cast and hopefully audiences will know they are looking in the same range of vision as the earlier film."

Now that the matter has been cleared, the team of A Wednesday is solidly behind Pandey to start the prequel. However there's a hitch. Pandey has committed himself to a film to be produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Films. It's the story of a scamster based on a true-life character. And Pandey starts shooting next month. The team of A Wednesday is getting mighty anxious to start the prequel. They have in fact, collectively issued an ultimatum to Pandey to get the prequel on the road.

The director is caught in a dilemma. Ekta Kapoor's project is ready to take off and there's no way Pandey can wriggle out of the commitment. Laughs Pandey, "I don't want to wriggle out of it. I've enjoyed writing the film for Ekta, as much as I've enjoyed putting together A Wednesday prequel. But since I can personally direct only one of the two projects I'm handing over A Wednesday prequel to one of my assistants. I'll produce and stand solidly behind the project to make sure nothing is missing in the prequel."