‘Aankhen 2’ made for Big B: director

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee is only making Aankhen 2 to work with Amitabh Bachchan.

“I think it is a tough job to make a good film... The reason behind making the film is Mr Bachchan. I have worked with almost all actors but I still considered myself unlucky that I didn’t get a chance to work with Amitji,” he said at the announcement of the sequel, where he also unveiled the cast.

Aankhen 2 is a sequel to the 2002 heist thriller drama film Aankhen, which was directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and featured Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Sushmita Sen and Arjun Rampal.

The new film stars Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Rampal, Arshad Warsi, Ileana D’Cruz and south Indian actress Regina Cassandra.

In what could turn into a big box office clash, the film may come out next year at Diwali, a festive slot which will also see release of Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal Again.

“We will start shooting next month. We are planning a Diwali release next year. It’s a big film so it has to come on a special day,” Bazmee told PTI.

Golmaal Again will feature Ajay Devgn, Arshad Warsi, Sharman Joshi, Tusshar Kapoor, Paresh Rawal and Rimi Sen; previous installments of the film have been successful Diwali releases.

“Aankhen was really a good film as it had a tremendous concept. So when Gaurang Doshi came to me with the film I immediately agreed,” Bazmee added.

“This time my attempt is to make a bigger and better sequel,” added the Welcome helmer.

Aankhen 2 will be a thriller, “but with a good amount of humour”.

Two more actors are yet to be announced for the film, with speculation that they are Bachchan’s son, Abhishek, and Kumar. One will play the role of a blind man, named Rahul, said Bazmee. “The actor who will play this part is a well-known actor from the younger generation. There would be another well-known actor who would be part of the film as well.”

When asked about casting rumours, Bazmee said, “There was lot of speculation happening about the casting like Katrina Kaif is going to be part of it, Abhishek and Akshay but we never gave out any names.”