Mirror has learnt that the second instalment to the 2014-action-drama, Bang Bang, now titled Reloaded, is not a sequel but a prequel to the Hrithik Roshan-Katrina Kaif-starrer. Featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Jacqueline Fernandez, the unit which took off to Miami in May for the first schedule of the films had teased fans with pictures of the first shot, calling it: “Not Bang Bang 2“. The original was an official remake of the Hollywood film Knight and Day, featuring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. The prequel, however, is an original story, written and helmed by director-duo Raj Nidimoru and Krisha DK.

While Danny Denzongpa was the main antagonist in part one, Suniel Shetty is making a comeback to the big screen, three years after the 2013 action-thriller, Enemmy (Jai Ho, Desi Kattey and The Shaukeens were special appearances), plays an ex-colonel, mentoring a group of fresh recruits, Sidharth being one of them. “Suniel will be seen playing his age for a part of the film, dressed in suave formals, with a well-groomed beard and moustache. He then ages seven years, his hair turning salt-and-pepper. The story spans a decade with all the characters ageing through the cat-and-mouse chase,“ reveals a source.

The actor-producer-businessman whose repertoire includes blockbusters like Mohra, Gopi Kishan, Dhadkan and Hera Pheri, turns 55 on Wednesday, but looks fit enough to take on any millennial star. His sabbatical was prompted by a lack of good scripts and age-appropriate roles. And Shetty had turned away from films to focus on leading the Celebrity Cricket League, maintaining his pan-India properties and restaurants, launching actress-daughter, Athiya in Salman Khan's Hero, and promoting a new TV channel dedicated to fitness and healthy living. Now, he's prepping up to take off to Malaysia in October for the third schedule of Reloaded. The lead pair had shot for eight days in Mumbai too and will return to the city towards the year-end. “The unit will shoot in Malaysia for a month and Suniel will be seen in a few action sequences. He has been rigorously training for the part, the character has shades of grey,“ the source signs off.