Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 13, 2015)

In 2002, Vivek Oberoi exploded into Bollywood with the high-voltage crime-thriller, Company. His performance as Chandrakant 'Chandu' Nagre won him the Filmfare Award for Best Debutante and Best Supporting Actor.

Thirteen years later, the actor will spin a sequel that he will also co-produce.

The 38-year-old actor who is vacationing with wife Priyanka and son Vivaan Veer in the US, gave his thumbs up to begin production before he left the country.

"Vivek read three scripts and zeroed in on this one 20 days before he left for his holiday. He will be back this Sunday and there will be another reading. He is sure Company can be turned into a bankable franchise. The film rolls in July," confirms a source close to the development.

Ajay Devgn who was shot dead in the climax of the original will not be returning in Part Two, nor will Mohanlal who played the cop, or leading ladies Manisha Koirala and Antara Mali. Chandu will have a new Kannu and the film will have an all-new cast. "It is not a continuation of the earlier story but a gangster film revolving around Chandu," added the source.

Ram Gopal Varma who directed the original film will be the creative adviser on the sequel and has been mentoring his CEO Sandeep Gangatkar to helm the project.

Sandeep who was his co-producer on Bhoot Returns and Satya 2 will make his directorial debut with Company 2.