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With Ajay, Arshad and Emraan out of the sequel, the hunt for the three leading men continues..
Joginder Tuteja (DNA; August 16, 2016)

Aankhen 2 is finally happening. The film will continue to feature Amitabh Bachchan as the central protagonist and Gaurang Doshi stays on to be the producer. Anees Bazmee will be stepping in as the director, even though first in the franchise had marked the debut of Vipul Shah.

Confirms our source, “A major event has been planned at Film City on August 17 for the launch of Aankhen 2.” Released in 2002, Aankhen was a decent success at the box-office and had featured Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal and Paresh Rawal as Amitabh Bachchan’s partners-in-crime along with Sushmita Sen. However, apart from Big B, none of the actors names have been announced. Ajay Devgn, who was to do it has backed out because of Golmaal 4. Ditto for Arshad Warsi, who has combination dates with Devgn. Emraan Hashmi was also approached, but it didn’t materialise. Says a source, “Abhishek might do the film this time.”

“It is going to be a different cast this time around,” our source continues, “While Bachchan will return as the schizophrenic genius, three other leading men will go blind for the role. A couple of new characters are being introduced as well. While the leading lady will play the part of a ‘lethal woman’, there is also going to be a mysterious character who will be enacting the part of a ‘man with no face’.”

Aankhen revolved around Big B and his team robbing a bank of its millions. However, by the look of things, Aankhen 2 will have them attack a casino this time around. So is it going to be Bollywood’s own version of Ocean’s Eleven. “Well, it is too early to even talk about the basic premise, leave aside the inspirations — if at all,” our insider from the film’s crew says, “The film is going on floors in January and it won’t be before middle of 2017 that it hits the screens.”

While the makers are claiming that with Aankhen 2, the game will only get ‘Bigger & Deadlier’, rest assured Bachchan is definitely having a gala time at the movies, what with films as diverse as Pink, Aankhen 2 and Sarkar 3 happening in quick succession.