Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; March 30, 2019)

Anees Bazmee, who is busy filming his comic caper Pagalpanti in London, is already planning his next project, Aankhen 2. The Mubarakan director has roped in Amitabh Bachchan, Paresh Rawal and Jacqueline Fernandez for the thriller, which will go on floors in the second half of this year.

Big B and Paresh are the only two actors who have been retained from the original. After Hrs had earlier reported that the makers were looking at a cast of five principal characters. Now, for one of those roles, Anees has reportedly finalised Saif Ali Khan. Says a source, “Both of them had been planning to collaborate for a few years. The filmmaker was looking to cast someone for the second male lead and approached Saif with the script. The Nawab of Pataudi will essay a role similar to what Akshay Kumar had portrayed in the first part. Saif has been a part of successful thrillers such as the Race franchise. So, he jumped at this offer.”

“The producers needed someone younger than Amit ji, but still senior enough in the industry. They wanted an actor in their late 40s and Saif was the perfect fit,” adds our source. Now, the team needs to find a younger hero to complete the ensemble.

We reached out to Anees, but he didn’t respond till the time of going to press.

Regina Cassandra, love interest of Sonam Kapoor’s Sweety in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, on why she didn’t negotiate for more screen time
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 7, 2019)

A quick glance at the reviews of Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga will reveal that both cinephiles and critics alike would have liked to see more of Sonam Kapoor’s on-screen love interest. Seated before us days after her movie hit screens, we ask Regina Cassandra why she chose against negotiating for more screen time. “When we started discussing [the film] there was some talk of giving Kuhu [her character] more to do in it. But, at the end of the day, it is Sweety’s [Kapoor’s character] story and is narrated from her perspective. I am glad I could add to it,” she says, certain that director Shelly Chopra Dhar and writer Gazal Dhaliwal sketched her part with “great love and care”.

There may have been apprehensions, we presume, when a film on same-sex love was to mark the Bollywood debut of the celebrated South actor. Yet, Cassandra can only cherish the fact that the “fun film” is a step further in making the taboo subject, part of everyday conversation. She confesses she didn’t have to look too far when finding reference points for her role. “I have friends who are lesbians; they’re bold and outgoing, and openly hit on women. They are also unabashed and unapologetic, and that’s also how my character is. She grew up with the confidence [and freedom] to be who she wants to be. So, it was important to show Kuhu as someone who is comfortable in her skin. It wasn’t about portraying a lesbian relationship, but, more of showcasing a love story. That it involved two women was incidental. No one calls a regular love story a heterosexual love story.”

The actor was to make her debut in this industry with the upcoming thriller Aankhen 2, which is yet to go on floors. “I was game to be part of that film. But it wasn’t working out. This [offer] came out of nowhere. Shelly was determined to get me on board. I am proud of this choice. These stories need to be told.”

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; February 4, 2019)

An ensemble cast of big stars, lavish budgets and masala laced with comedy — Anees Bazmee’s movies tick all the boxes. The writer-director of films like No Entry (2005), Welcome (2007), Singh Is Kinng (2008) and Welcome Back (2015) has had a smashing success with multi-starrers. Yes, there have been a few like No Problem and Thank You, which have come a cropper, but his success ratio outweighs the failures.

After his last directorial Mubarakan (2017), the filmmaker is set to helm his next, Pagalpanti, toplined by John Abraham, Anil Kapoor and Ileana D’Cruz along with Pulkit Samrat, Kriti Kharbanda and Arshad Warsi. Here, the director tells us about his upcoming film, his penchant for multi-starrers and why he is serious about comedy.

What is Pagalpanti about?
Pagalpanti is full of madness. It’s a hard-core commercial film with songs, dialogue, and zabardast family comedy. There will be no vulgarity because that has never been a part of my films. It will be shot in London non-stop for 50 days minimum. It is about John’s journey and the other people involved in it. He will be seen in a different role as he is doing an out-and-out comedy. There’s Anil with whom I share good tuning. We have worked together in so many films — No Entry (2005), Welcome (2007), Welcome Back (2015), to name a few. I have also scripted his Deewana Mastana (1997), Laadla (1994), etc. This must be our 11th or 12th collaboration. Honestly, we have stopped counting!

Is the film releasing this year?
I think so, because by April-May, InshaAllah, we will be able to finish the film, after which the producers will decide on the release date. They did want to announce it in advance, but as a maker, it puts the burden on you because you have to finish it by then. That’s when the chalega attitude creeps in especially, if the work is not done according to your satisfaction. I didn’t want that. I told them to not worry about the date. In the earlier days, when we made films, we used to see it and if there was something which we felt was not up to the mark, we would re-shoot it. Though I have never done that, one should have the liberty of improving it and if that takes a couple of months one should get that breathing space.

Most of your films are multi-starrers, is that deliberate?
It’s not that I want to make only multi-starrers. Every time I finish a film, I feel I should make a movie with one hero and heroine. Having said that, multi-starrers are not easy to make, which is why you don’t see everybody making them. You can say that multi cast films are my forte. I have a good tuning with all my actors, aur main aram se multi-starrer bana leta hoon. Uska maza kuch aur hai. Moreover, the seven-eight actors that I have in my film have important roles, whether it was Welcome, Welcome Back, No Entry or now Pagalpanti. It’s not that I set out to make them, it just happens. The story of Pagalpanti is such that it needs many actors, that’s all. 

People have come to expect a certain kind of comedy from you. Does that put pressure on you?
Whenever your films do well, and you have made a name for yourself, people have expectations from you. That does put pressure on you, but it’s good because it means logon ko aapse ummeed hai. I don’t feel the pressure because if you have seen my work, I make one film in a period of two years. When I am working on it, my entire concentration is on it, there are no distractions. I use my experience of over 50 films  — have written several movies and directed about 10-12 — and the knowledge that I have.

Many of your films have done well at the box-office but they haven’t won critical acclaim. What do you have to say about it?
Honestly, main chahta hoon that critics also love my films, but I can’t make films only for those 20-25 people. It’s sad that critics kind of look down upon comedy, which is such a difficult genre. But these movies are big hits. When I meet people they tell me they haven’t seen a better comedy than No Entry, which released over a decade ago, and that they watch it even today. So, I feel films like these will become cult movies in the future. I am sure even the critics enjoy it when they watch it! Still, I hope I make a film that is liked by the audiences and the critics.

What kind of comedy do you like?
I like situational comedies. I always tell my actors that they should not act in a funny way or do comedy, that will happen on its own. If you have seen my films, I don’t go over the board, where people are climbing and falling to create laughter, there is no slapstick comedy. I don’t believe in that. The situation is comical. For instance in the climax of No Entry, three people are hanging from a cliff and are about to die, in the Welcome climax, the entire house with all the characters in it is on the verge of falling off — these are serious things, there is no buffoonery — but the situation leads to comedy.

There are reports about you directing a college love story with Kartik Aaryan?
Chal raha hai. I want to make films in different genres, not just comedy. I have in the past made a romantic film like Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1998) and a suspense thriller like Deewangee (2002). I am comfortable writing all the genres, but I don’t need to prove anything to anybody. I do a film which I enjoy at that point.

David Dhawan has been remaking his old films like Judwaa and now Coolie No 1. Have you thought about revisiting any of your earlier movies?
I have some 15 original stories in mind and I still feel like a newcomer. There is a lot of excitement now with Pagalpanti. I am not just a director, but also a writer. If start remaking my old movies, what do I do with the new ideas that I have?

What is happening to the sequel of No Entry and Aankhen?
You will have to check with Boney Kapoor (producer) about the No Entry sequel. But Aankhen part 2 is happening. It has a big star cast, and I will start the film this year once I am done with Pagalpanti.

Film expected to kick off in May-June 2019 and will be shot in London and Georgia
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 8, 2018)

The sequel to Aankhen will roll by mid-2019. Directed by Anees Bazmee, it will revolve around three blind men. Amitabh Bachchan is the only one from the original heist thriller to be retained. “Mr Bachchan is on board and for the rest of the cast we are looking for younger actors and are currently in talks with some but can’t divulge any other names yet,” informs Tarun Agarwal who is producing the film with Sunil Lulla.

Gaurang Doshi who had produced the 2002 film had announced Aankhen 2 in August 2016 with Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Arshad Warsi. The leading ladies were Ileana D’cruz and Regina Cassandra who would be making her Bollywood debut with the film. Soon after, Rajtaru Studio owned by Tarun moved court questioning how Gaurang could make the Aankhen sequel when they had bought the rights to the franchise from him years ago. The case has been embroiled in legal issues since the past few years.

While Tarun is not willing to discuss the case, he informed that they will be shooting the film either from May-July or June-August. “We will be filming in London and Georgia. The casino, as required in the story, has already been booked in Georgia. For the rest of the locations, we are scouting in the UK,” he adds.

The original film which had featured Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Paresh Rawal and Sushmita Sen, had the Big B playing Vijay Singh Rajput, a bank manager who is sacked for assaulting an employee. He decides to avenge the humiliation by training three blind men to rob the bank. 

Bazmee on wanting to tap into Abraham’s comic timing as they reunite for Pagalpanti
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; November 24, 2018)

His 2017 comedy Mubarakan behind him, Anees Bazmee has now trained his sights on Pagalpanti featuring John Abraham.

Talking to mid-day, Bazmee reveals that a reunion on a comedy was pending since they first got together for Welcome Back (2015). “John didn’t have too many comic scenes in that film. Yet, in the ones he did, I noticed that he shines in comedy. It was while working together on Welcome Back that he expressed his wish to do a full-fledged comedy with me,” says Bazmee, who will soon head to London for the film’s recce.

With rumours doing the rounds about Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar walking into and out of his upcoming films — the second instalments of No Entry (2005) and Singh Is Kinng (2008), respectively — we seek the filmmaker’s intervention on clearing the air. “No Entry was a good film. I came up with a good idea for part two, and have finished writing the script. I’m now seeking a go-ahead from Boney ji [Kapoor, producer]. As soon as he tells me about the cast, we can roll with it. As for Singh Is Kinng, there’s enough scope to make another edition of the film, but there’s no further development there.”

What he is, however, excited about is the next instalment of Aankhen 2 which sees Amitabh Bachchan reprise his role from the 2002 outing. “As far as his character is concerned, the film takes off from where he left it.”

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 24, 2018)

Sixteen years after Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s 2002 heistthriller, Aankhen, featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Paresh Rawal and Sushmita Sen, a sequel is in the works. One was announced by Gaurang Doshi in 2016 but there’s been no news on that since. Meanwhile, Mirror has learnt that Anees Bazmee is directing one with the 75-year-old veteran as the lead which will be produced by Eros International and Tarun Agarwal.

“Amit ji liked the script and has given his nod to the project. Anees has begun prep and will start shooting in 2019. The team is targeting an early 2020 release,” a source close to the development informed. The official spokesperson from the production house confirmed the news.

Aankhen revolved around the Big B’s Vijay Singh Rajput, a hard-working but temperamental man, who spends his life working in a bank till in a fit of rage, he beats up a colleague and is fired. He decides to take revenge by organising a heist on the same bank by three blind men, played by Akshay, Arjun and Paresh.

According to the source, Sushant Singh Rajput and Vicky Kaushal are in the running for the other lead part. “And since the story revolves around a casino this time owned by a Chinese, the makers are considering Jackie Chan for the part,” adds the source. The Hollywood star was in India in 2016 to shoot for his adventure-comedy Kung Fu Yoga, which also featured Sonu Sood, Disha Patani and Amyra Dastur.

Arjun has completed all the shooting of his next film Daddy, the biopic on Arun Gawli
Subhash K Jha (DNA; January 7, 2017)

Arjun Rampal has undergone a minor eye surgery, which will keep him away from shooting for a while.

When contacted, he made light of it. “It’s just a minor surgery. Actors get a lot of dust and grime in their eyes. Some of it got lodged in one of my eyes. It had to be removed surgically. But nothing major. I am fine. I just need to have a black patch on the eye for a while. It makes me look like a pirate. But I’m already back to my office for meetings.”

Arjun has completed all the shooting of his next film Daddy, the biopic on Arun Gawli. Now, his team is discussing the marketing and release strategy. “I now go straight into the shooting of Aankhen 2 in March. So there is space for me to plan my moves for 2017,” says Arjun, who got rave reviews for his appearance in Kahaani 2 in 2016. “I don’t think critics have ever been so kind to me,” he signs off.

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; December 23, 2016)

Arshad Warsi admits debacle of the Subhash Kapoor's film 'Guddu Rangeela' led director to replace him in the courtroom comedy sequel
MID-DAY (September 26, 2016)

Arshad Warsi is going through a rough patch in his career, and being replaced by Akshay Kumar in Subhash Kapoor's 'Jolly LLB 2' came as a surprise to many. The actor feels the failure of 'Guddu Rangeela', which released last year, also helmed by Kapoor, contributed to his ouster from the sequel to the 2013 courtroom comedy drama.

"I think if 'Guddu Rangeela' would have worked, this situation wouldn't have arisen. The combination of Subhash Kapoor and me (in 'Guddu Rangeela') would have ideally clicked, but unfortunately, it didn't," Arshad says, before quickly adding, "But, I am happy for my friend (Kapoor), since working with Akshay would help him enter the big league of directors and give him a pedestal to work with other superstars. I would have liked to do 'Jolly LLB 2', but I am not depressed or sad that I am not doing it anymore. Being replaced by another actor doesn't bother me."

Arshad also explains that casting a bigger name reduces the risk factor for a production house. "It is the insecurity of the production house that they decided to do go with Akshay. It was a calculated business move by the marketing and PR team; Akshay's presence is enough to get them publicity. With me, they would have had to spend money to make noise about the film," he says with a straight face.

There was buzz about the actor appearing in the sequel as a cameo, but Arshad isn't too sure about that happening, "Subhash has discussed the possibility, but it's not yet confirmed. He told me if the story works out in a certain way, he will approach me. Also, it depends on how I am placed at that time; I have a few projects lined up for which I will start shooting soon."

Arshad is kicked about sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan in Aankhen 2; they had earlier worked together for 'Zamanaat' in the late '90s, but it didn't see the light of day. "I was launched by his production house two decades ago in 'Tere Mere Sapne' and since then I never got a chance to work with him. I would always get jealous when any newcomer would get a chance to work with him. Finally, my turn has come and this time, I hope everything goes smoothly," he says.

Producer Gaurang Doshi sets the record straight
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 17, 2016)

Producer Gaurang Doshi has been slapped with a Contempt of Court order; cast members served notices
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 9, 2016)


Gaurang Doshi has been slapped with a Contempt of Court order while legal notices have been sent to director Anees Bazmee and actors Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor. "Rajturu Studios bought the remake rights of Aankhen in 2013 from Doshi (who'd produced the 2002 original). Vipul Shah was to return as the director but he got busy with other projects and we decided to put the project on hold for a year. In 2015, the script for the sequel was finalised but we learnt that Doshi had started casting for his own version of Aankhen," informs Rajeev Rajtaru, Owner of Rajtaru Studios who moved court on August 4, 2016.

Doshi's lawyer Chirag Mody informed the court during the first hearing on August 9 that his client had nothing to do with Aankhen 2. The case was adjourned till August 19 since Doshi maintained that he wasn't making any film. "But on August 17, he launched Aankhen 2 with the entire cast in attendance. Doshi had lied in court under oath and directly disobeyed the court's orders," Rajtaru argues.

At the August 19 hearing, the court made that no promotions, online or offline, or no work related to the film were to be shared with the media and the industry. "But on August 23, new posters released on social media and interview calls made to the media. He also printed full-page ads in two trade magazines," Rajtaru informs.

Justice SJ Kathawala of the Bombay High Court observed that Doshi has "repeatedly made false statements before the court, misled the court and interfered with administration of justice. He should be held under contempt of court."

At the August 19 hearing, Senior Advocate Kadam showed up instead of Mody, who had dropped out, and claimed he was under the impression that it was a fresh hearing and hence, would require more time to research the earlier submissions. When the case was re-opened on August 22, yet another lawyer, Rishikesh Soni, turned up. Rajturu points out, Doshi has changed four lawyers in the last one month.

The next hearing is scheduled for September 14 and if work on Aankhen 2 is not stopped, an arrest warrant awaits Doshi. "We're also moving court with the Copyright Infringement Act and awaiting a response from Anees Bazmee, Amitabh Bachchan and Anil Kapoor on the legal notices," Rajtaru adds.

Doshi, when contacted, told Mirror, "The matter is sub judice and all rights of the film have been purchased by me and belong to me via registered deed."

Ileana D’Cruz says she hasn’t signed Aankhen 2, producer claims she had verbally committed to take up film
Shilpi Sampad (MID-DAY; August 20, 2016)

A day after the cast of Aankhen 2 was announced, Ileana D’Cruz has slammed the makers for announcing her name when she had turned down the film. A unit member, however, claims that the actress had verbally committed to be part of the project starring Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Arshad Warsi and South actress Regina Cassandra.

Ileana tells hitlist, “I have not signed Aankhen 2. My name was announced without permission. I have the highest regards for Mr Bachchan and [director] Anees Bazmee, and have clarified my stand to them.” At the film’s launch on Wednesday evening, producer Gaurang Doshi and Big B had reportedly confirmed that Ileana is part of the film.

Doshi says, “Mr Bachchan is the face of my franchise and I don’t want to stoke any controversy. Fact is Ileana had, in principle, agreed to do the film. Now, if she doesn’t wish to take it up, that’s okay. I wish her all the best.”

The sequel to the 2002 heist thriller is set to go on floors next month and will clash with Golmaal 4 on Diwali 2017.

Producer Gaurang Doshi responds to threats of a legal notice from Ileana D'Cruz who says she isn't the heroine of Aankhen 2
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 20, 2016)



The sequel to the 2002 of the heist thriller Aankhen was launched on Wednesday.

Amitabh Bachchan, Arshad Warsi and Bollywood's latest South import, Regina Cassandra, who makes her Bollywood debut with the Anees Bazmee-directorial, interacted with the audience.

The other leading men, Arjun Rampal, who is in Siachen filming another project, and Anil Kapoor, who was promoting his TV show, 24, however couldn't make it. Also missing was the film's other heroine, Ileana D'Cruz, who was introduced with a video screened at the venue.

Two days later, events took an unexpected turn when Ileana took to Twitter to clarify that she had not signed Aankhen 2. The actress's manager confirmed to Mirror that she isn't doing the film.

When contacted producer Gaurang Doshi fumed, "Aankhen 2 doesn't need Ileana, we already have our four aces- Amitji, Arjun, Arshad and Anil. If we wanted to use an actor's name to promote our film, we would have said that Aankhen 2 stars Deepika Padukone or Katrina Kaif! Ileana is not going to get us additional distributors, exhibitors or viewers."

He went on to add that along with the film's writer, Neeraj Pathak, and Bazmee, he had met Ileana and her manager Nimisha at a suburban five-star for the first script reading in the first week of July. "Ileana had loved the film and agreed to do it. However, she mentioned that her agency takes a week to process the paperwork so we agreed to wait," Doshi reveals.

He added that a week later, the entire team met again to listen to the two songs that had been finalised. "Ileana said she'd really enjoyed the music and was ready for the muhurat shot. We informed her about the launch and she agreed to be a part of it," he informed.

He admitted to being surprised to see Ileana's manager tell the media that the actress was not in the film and was going to sue the makers since she hadn't got in touch with them at all. "We have been trying to speak to her to find out what went wrong, she doesn't seem to want to speak to us. Someone has definitely misguided her," he groused.

Next up: The makers are going to launch another blind character, Rahul, with a new promo soon. "But looks like we'll have to get a better actress on board too," Doshi sighed.

Casting was an uphill task following negotiations with several actors, including Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Katrina Kaif, Parineeti Chopra, Suniel Shetty, falling through in the six months preceding the final unveiling of the line-up.

Upala KBR (DNA; August 19, 2016)

Aankhen 2 launched with great fanfare at an event in Mumbai on Wednesday evening. Amitabh Bachchan and Arshad Warsi announced they were part of the film being directed by Anees Bazmee. Producer Gaurang Doshi announced that Rustom actress Ileana DCruz, who was absent from the event, was also part of the film. A video featuring the actress was aired at the event.

Truth is, while Ileana was offered the film, she turned it down. So the announcement was made without her knowledge or permission. And the actress is not happy about this. Says an industry insider, “For years now, people have stopped having lavish events to announce films. The only reason to have one is for the producer to rake in money. When a maker announces a film with a big star cast, he can impress investors to part with moolah. It’s just a money game, then whether the film gets made or not, the producer has got his hands on enough money.”

However, no one announces names of actors, who are not part of the film to make it seem like a viable project. Says a source, “Gaurang showed Ileana’s video at the mahurat yesterday and claimed she was doing the film. Bachchan also confirmed it. But the fact is, she is not doing the film and the announcement has made her furious. She came to know about it only after the event when people contacted the actresss to congratulate her. Now she is contemplating initiating action against Gaurang. ”

Ileana’s manager confirms. “Ileana is not doing the film.” Gaurang remained unavailable for comment.

South actress Regina Cassandra shrugs off the wardrobe malfunction at the launch of her Hindi film
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 19, 2016)


On Wednesday evening, when 25-year-old South actress Regina Cassandra took to the stage to perform at the launch of her big Bollywood debut — Aankhen 2 — her sheer black gown rode up, revealing more than intended, and sent the paparazzi into a tizzy. The following day, pictures of the wardrobe malfunction were splashed online even before the first shot was taken.

"I definitely didn't want my debut to unfold in this way. It was a terrible mishap. I got off the stage with a 'Oh my God! What just happened!' The entire team was extremely supportive and I told myself, 'It's okay', and have moved on," says Regina.

She forayed into acting at 14, debuting with the Tamil film Kanda Naal Mudhal in 2005.

Having worked in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films in a career spanning over a decade, the actress reveals that she wasn't always comfortable with being in the spotlight but the joy of portraying different and challenging characters trumped over her fears eventually. "Everything about acting excites me. In this sequel, I'm the link between the two male leads," she informs.

Before the drama unfolded, Regina met one of her co-stars, Amitabh Bachchan, for the first time.

"He introduced himself on stage. I had watched Aankhen eight years ago and, being a sucker for heist films, there was no way I was going to say 'no' to the sequel," says the modelactress, pointing out that she recently featured in the Tamil thriller, Rajathandhiram, which also revolved around a jewellery shop robbery.

Ask her if she worries about being sidelined in a formidable star cast and she points out that she'll get to learn a lot while rubbing shoulders with the Big B, Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Arjun Rampal and Ileana D'Cruz.

She takes off to London on January 1 for a monthlong schedule of the film, followed by an April shoot in South Africa.

The Chennai girl has no plans to shift base, yet. "I have three Tamil and one Telugu release lined up. I am now going to shuttle between Kochi, Madurai and Hyderabad. I am constantly on the move," she signs off.

Shilpi Sampad (MID-DAY; August 18, 2016)

The sequel to 2002 heist thriller Aankhen is set to go on floors next month with a few new entrants to the franchise.

Sources close to the project reveal that the makers have locked Diwali 2017 for release, a date already booked by Rohit Shetty for Ajay Devgn-starrer Golmaal Again. What’s more, both films star Arshad Warsi.

Producer Gaurang Doshi says, “Diwali is a big release window where two films can easily co-exist and do well. I am confident about my film; Golmaal Again should also do well.” Joining Amitabh Bachchan and Arjun Rampal in part two of Aankhen are Anil Kapoor, Arshad and Ileana D’Cruz. It will also mark the Bollywood debut of South actress, Regina Cassandra.

So far, only Big B’s name had been confirmed while names of Ajay Devgn, Katrina Kaif and Shahid Kapoor had been tossed around. Part one featured Akshay Kumar, Rampal and Paresh Rawal as Bachchan’s partners-in-crime along with Sushmita Sen.

Current box office king Akshay Kumar on how he hates the word ‘clash’
Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; August 16, 2016)

Akshay Kumar continues his dream run at the box office with Rustom, his third film of 2016 also proving to be a hit with cinegoers. The thriller has grossed Rs 50.42 crore in its three-day run, beating Hrithik Roshan’s Mohenjo Daro by a cool margin of Rs 20 crore.

Ask Akshay about being the boss of the box office and how the clash worked in his favour, he shrugs and says, “I hate the word ‘clash’. I want everybody’s film to work because everybody works hard. Hrithik is yet to congratulate me, but he will always remain my neighbour. We will continue to hang out and dine together. My equation with Hrithik won’t change just because our movies released together. I haven’t seen Mohenjo Daro yet. If I get time, I will definitely watch it.”

Before the box office clash, er, competition, a majority of industry folk had shown support to the action star’s film, clearly indicating who had the upper hand. “It was interesting to see that actors who have not worked with me promoted it [Rustom] on Twitter and it worked for the film. I feel this trend should continue. I was quite nervous before the release because you never know how the audience will react. Two to three scripts come to me everyday, but you get good ones only if you are lucky,” he smiles.

Rustom, according to trade pundits, will breach the R 100-crore mark, making it his third century (after Airlift and Housefull 3) on the trot this year. But, Akshay says he doesn’t take success seriously. “Today, my films are doing well, tomorrow, they may not. Like recently, someone reminded me of 14 flops that I have delivered,” he says.

Akshay will soon begin shooting the second schedule of Jolly LLB 2, but assures that his other project, Vipul Shah’s Namastey England, is also on track. The film was supposed to go on floors last April, but has been delayed with reports suggesting that the actor wants changes in the script. However, he says. “There is no delay. The script is yet to be locked. So, we will start it only when the script is ready.” He also dissed rumours about being part of Aankhen 2. “I am not even aware of a sequel,” he signs off.