Meena Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 5, 2017)

Twenty years after he collaborated with Indra Kumar on the multi-starrer comedy Ishq (also featuring Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla and Kajol) and 13 years after making a guest appearance in his adultcomedy Masti, Ajay Devgn has been brought on-board for the third part of the filmmaker's Dhamaal franchise.

While first two parts of the film featured Sanjay Dutt, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffrey and Ashish Chowdhry, the third part, which is tentatively-titled Total Dhamaal, will see Devgn in the lead.

Indra Kumar told Mirror, "Ajay, my partner Ashok Thakeria, and I have had a fabulous association. Ishq is still one of the most successful comedy films in Bollywood and here we are, 20 years later, with another family entertainer. The Dhamaal franchise has a strong fan following. Ajay's association makes it even more special."

Devgn, who is currently on a vacation in the Maldives with actress-wife Kajol, their kids, Nysa and Yug, and several members of their extended family, was unavailable for comment but a source close to the 48-yearold actor-filmmaker has confirmed the development. "Like the Golmaal franchise, Dhamaal has its loyal audience. Ajay is glad to reunite with Indra for Total Dhamaal. He is hoping the team will come up with a madcap comedy that will have people rolling on the floor laughing. The idea is to make a full-on entertainer," the source added.


While the makers have refused to divulge details about the rest of the acting line-up, a trade source reveals that talks are on with Arshad, Javed and Riteish to reprise their roles.