Akshay Kumar confirmed for Once Upon a Time in Mumbai sequel
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Rumors and reports have been flying back and forth over whether Akshay Kumar will be a part of Balaji Film’s sequel to their critical and box office success Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai. Some said yes, he will play the part of the don, others say no he has not signed, while others reported they are still in talks. However, now it all seems to be resolved because we have had confirmation that Akshay will be a part of the film. Akshay will take over the role of Dawood Ibrahim that was played by Emraan Hashmi in the original film. Directed once again by Milan Luthria, this second film follows Dawood’s rise to power as an underworld don.
Now that Akshay is set, rumors have started to who will star opposite him. A source told TOI, “The second part of Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai is going to be on a much bigger canvas and hence Balaji is looking at a top actress to play the female lead. It would be either Kareena or Vidya. Mandakini’s character needs an actress who can emote very strongly. Kareena and Vidya best fit the bill.” With names like Vidya and Kareena being bandied about it will be interesting to see who finally lands the role.
We also hear that even though his character Sultan died in the first film, Ekta Kapoor wants to bring Ajay Devgn back for the sequel as well. Ekta says she has met with him about the film, “He has spoilt me. Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai was an ambitious project for my company and he made it the film it became. By saying that, I’m not trying to run anyone down. It was a collective effort that made the story believable. But it’s made the sequel that even more difficult.”
Ajay says he will be interested but is waiting to see the final script “I’m sure the character she comes up with for me this time will be on par with Sultan bhai, may be even a few notches higher.”
Looks like the sequel, like the original film, is one to watch out for so stay tuned for all the Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai – 2 news!
February 26, 2011 at 10:27 AM
This and the Prabhudeva are the Akshay films to look forward to and this is the sort of thing he should be doing going forward. Do think he’s making a big mistake with Joker.
February 26, 2011 at 10:47 AM
If Ajay joins then this movie will rock, they can go back and forth with flashbacks……
February 26, 2011 at 1:52 PM
Im in the minority—but find it vulgar how one of INdias most wanted chronic criminal and the perpetrator of one of indias biggest non-war crimes gets glorified like this.
This is not the first time and people like haji mastaan have been dpicted.
But the way people are competing and bending over backwards to effectively depict this guy who is nothing but a creepy murderer at large, defies belief….
February 26, 2011 at 3:20 PM
alex adams when Akbar can be glorified, then any one can be……..
February 26, 2011 at 3:27 PM
Rocky—there is no comparison between akbar and Dawood Ibrahim..
I recently visited the Agra Fort and for a change, hired a guide.
Recommended viewing for all.
1)obviously one cannot be sure, but from the evidence available, akbar was indeed a v sensible, democratic and secular guy.
2)The poignant moment was the small balcony from where the creator of shah jahan used to look at the taj after his son imprisoned him.
3) The most moving was the “throne” from where india was effectively run.
Showed how badly successive dynasties have come and plundered india—It cannot be a conicidence that a country and its successors are SO amenable to domination and accept subservience….
Its a long topic—dont get me started there!
February 26, 2011 at 3:31 PM
please do not get started…………..
February 26, 2011 at 4:04 PM
rcoky—But again, One cannot but “get started” by random stray comments of complaring dawood ibrahim with akbar….Next you will compare Gandhi to Changez Khan and say “dont get started”–lol
February 27, 2011 at 7:55 AM
Check out Akshay’s look..
the one problem with the first otherwise very enjoyable film was Emran Hashmi who looked like a 70s pornstar! Not that I would otherwise count myself among Hashmi’s legions of admirers!
February 27, 2011 at 9:51 AM
Liked this new look of Akshay…Did not like OUATIM that much…Hope this movie and Akshay’s performance will surprise me…..
February 27, 2011 at 10:09 AM
the pics are interesting but problem for me is with Akshay’s current image, it kinda looks like he’s doing a spoof!
February 27, 2011 at 8:34 PM
Akshay Kumar first look, OUTIM 2
March 2, 2011 at 1:50 PM
will seriously hope its a disaster as there is no point in glorifying a mass murderer and international terrorist.. if the point is to glorify that
i have no problem if they glorify a hajji mastan who never was anti india
aside even on filmi sense randeep hoda played this man character brilliantly in RAMU’S D(ironically his best perfornance )
even in once upon a time in mumbai he was the scene stealer with his physicality and deleivry and easily scored over emraan hashmi and matched ajay in confrontation scene together
akshay is going back to his 90′s look here when he played don in some khiladi series and more than being don he looks a joker here
aside everyone in bollywood these days has don syndrome
March 8, 2011 at 4:47 AM
Akki does not suits for the role of Dawood Ibrahim,i think Emraan Hashmi rocked & looked like d real evil don.
May 15, 2011 at 6:32 PM
Ileana to turn Mandakini
The South Indian siren has bagged the coveted role of Dawood’s girl in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Part 2 opposite Akshay Kumar
Vickey Lalwani
Posted On Monday, May 16, 2011 at 03:21:33 AM
In 2006, Rakesh Roshan directed her in a beauty cream ad. Ileana D’Cruz has come a long way since then. Making her debut in Telugu film Devadasu, the Bombay born girl moved on to become one of the biggest South Indian sirens with hits like Jalsa, Pokkiri and Kick.
And now after making her big Bollywood debut opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Anurag Basu’s Barfee, her careergraph seems to have taken a leap uphill.
Balaji Motion Pictures have zeroed down on the 23-year-old actress to play the role of Mandakini, who was allegedly involved with Dawood, for their film Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Part 2, which is based on the life of the dreaded gangster.
Balaji, it seems, has taken note of her svelte figure which would obviously be a criteria while selecting someone to play Mandakini, the role which had two more contenders, Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, who are certainly bigger actresses than Ileana.
While Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif the two original choices for the controversial portrayal are still somewhat in the running, our source said, “The modalities are fast being worked out with Ileana.
The people who matter in this project will not talk about it now, but an official announcement in this regard will come shortly.”
While Balaji officials chose to put it diplomatically, saying, “She is one of the contenders for Mandakini’s part”, a source very close to the film confirmed, “Ileana will star opposite Akshay in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Part 2. Final ho gaya hai.”
More about Mandakini…
She created quite a stir by exposing her assets in Raj Kapoor’s Ram Teri Ganga Maili. But soon, her career nosedived. She quit films after the forgettable Zordaar.
Later, it was alleged that she had even moved to Dubai to be with Dawood. Mandakini had vehemently denied all this.
She had claimed that they did not know each other personally, let alone being a couple.
She had also pointed out that she had been married to R. Thakur, a doctor in Mumbai. In January 2010, her husband had said that Mandakini would be co-directing an English film with him- but after that, we haven’t heard anything on that project.
May 30, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Once Upon A Time in Pakistan?
Filmmakers Ekta Kapoor and Milan Luthria are contemplating shooting their sequel, based on the life of Dawood Ibrahim, in the neighbouring country
Kunal M Shah
Posted On Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 03:19:38 AM
Pakistan, the new Mumbai? Well, Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms and director Milan Luthria certainly see some resemblance as they are contemplating filming portions of the sequel of Once A Upon A Time In Mumbai, across the border.
Although the filmmakers are keen on the idea, they are sceptical to go ahead with the plan due to eminent concerns of safety and security of the cast in the film, which is based on the life of the don Dawood Ibrahim.
Our source told us, “The ideal location to shoot the film is in Pakistan and Ekta and Milan are surely thinking about it. However, the security is a major concern. It is no secret that Akshay Kumar is essaying the role of Dawood Ibrahim, who is allegedly living in Karachi.
The makers are still in the process of zeroing down on a hero, who will star opposite Akshay. However, one thing is for sure that he will be a young hero. Following the original film, which was shot in actual gangster areas in Mumbai, Ekta and Milan are now trying to find similar possible locations in Pakistan to shoot the sequel. However, they are yet to get the consent of the actors to shoot in the neighbouring country.”
The source added, “The idea to film there makes sense as the film deals with Dawood’s life and his rise in the underworld, after the death of various dons like Haji Mastan, Vardha Rajan and Karim Lala. Following the Mumbai bomb blast, Dawood supposedly fled to Pakistan and is reportedly staying in Karachi.
For even a portion of the sequel to be shot in Pakistan would be hugely controversial. Considering the content of the film, the support of the Pakistan government will be necessary, if the producers decide to shoot there, even just for two to three days.”
When contacted Tanuj Garg, CEO – Balaji Motion Pictures, said, “It’s too early to comment. We’re still working on the script.We will weigh all location options, once the script is ready.”
July 27, 2011 at 7:56 AM
Kareena Kapoor signed for Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai sequel
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, July 27, 2011 – 12:12 IST
Kareena Kapoor
Download image as wallpaper
Post the success of the film Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Balaji was gung ho on making a sequel to the film. The scale of the film got even bigger when they roped in Akshay Kumar to play the lead role of the Mumbai don in the film.
Though much of the initial production was locked, not much was spoken about the leading actress of the film. With names being thrown in by the media, it was confusion galore.
Well now, the dust has settled and Kareena Kapoor has been signed for the film. The Kapoor damsel is all set to play the lead opposite Akshay Kumar in Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai 2.
Kareena has allotted dates for Milan Luthria’s OUATIM sequel starting January 20 which will spill over to February and March too.
July 27, 2011 at 5:39 PM
Ekta finds her chhota rajan
Shahid Kapoor has been asked to play the role of the dreaded gangster in the filmmaker’s fortcoming ventureOnce Upon A Time In Mumbaai Part 2
Vickey Lalwani
Posted On Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 02:09:06 AM
Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Part 2 just got bigger. After casting Akshay Kumar as Dawood, the older version of Emraan Hashmi’s character in the first part, producer Ekta Kapoor and director Milan Luthria met up with Shahid Kapoor and asked him to play Chhota Rajan, Dawood’s best man turned rival in the film.
The film, that goes on floors early next year, was launched amidst much fanfare at an award function during Diwali last year. A rough image of Akshay Kumar’s look in the film was also unveiled during the event. However, the hunt for the other leading men and women for the film was still on.
While there were speculations about the choice of actress to play the role of Dawood’s girl Mandakini in the film, nothing so far had been said about the other male lead. “The role of Chhota Rajan is as intense as the one Shahid Kapoor portrayed in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Kaminey. He is a very good actor who has portrayed a wide range of characters till date. He is one of the top choices to play Chhota Rajan,” revealed a source.
Akshay will pick up from where Emraan Hashmi left off in the first part. He will take his character forward. Shahid will be the new entrant in the story. “Where there’s Dawood, there has to be his arch-rival Chhota Rajan. Shahid has been asked to play a very long and key role in the film,” added the source.
However, Ekta’s attempt at pulling off a casting coup for the project may face a few hitches. Kareena is said to be one of the leading contenders for the role of Dawood’s lover Mandakini, one might wonder whether the actress or Shahid would want to work together again, considering the two did not even want to dub for their film Milenge Milenge together. But then again, Kareena reportedly, has no problem working with Shahid anymore.
Our source said, “Milan had long meetings with Shahid. He explained him the script and the character. Akshay is currently working out to get the rugged look required for him to play Dawood. Shahid too will require to work on his Chhota Rajan avatar.”
July 27, 2011 at 5:39 PM
Shahid Kapoor as a dreaded gangster… Bollywood never ceases to amuse one..
July 27, 2011 at 11:07 PM
Or disgust one. As much as I found OUATIM perfectly enjoyable (especially Devgan’s performance) in a throwback kind of way, there is something really disconcerting about the continued use of names like Dawood for these characters. It’s one thing to create an entertainment – a genre gangster film that makes everyone look cool. It’s another thing to then link such fiction(s) to very real, very uncool monsters from recent history. And it’s of course all done merely for promotion. There isn’t a moment of truth or real ugliness in much of what happens in Ekta Kapoor’s Disneyland biopic – making articles like the above all the more detestable because they’re primarily just using the headline-names to make the film feel more relevant than it might otherwise be. It’s pointless and irresponsible.
July 28, 2011 at 7:26 AM
Couldn’t agree more with everything you’ve said…
July 28, 2011 at 4:20 AM
“there is something really disconcerting about the continued use of names like Dawood for these characters. It’s one thing to create an entertainment – a genre gangster film that makes everyone look cool. It’s another thing to then link such fiction(s) to very real, very uncool monsters from recent history”— agree gf….
In particular dawood seems to be a Bollywood darling with everyone outdoing each other to “capture ” him on celluloid..
The fact that he continues to be “elusive” is a bit of a mystery.
Unlike someone like Osama who was apparently untraceable (till the abottabad strike) or some on whom there is no “proof”, this one is a peculiar case.
The likes of jäved miandads daughters marriage to dawwwod son? And the various ceremonies and partied keep cropping up in media. Then how come is dawood so “untraceable” atleast for Pak agencies and even indian oneZ.
How can someone host big parties in Pak and still be untraceable tO indian agencies. What about surveillance agencies like raw of “normal” ones are sleeping ??
July 31, 2011 at 6:43 PM
Will step into her shoes, but surely not her saree
Kareena refuses to get wet under a waterfall like Mandakini while playing the very actress in Milan Luthria’s OUATIM 2
Vickey Lalwani
Posted On Monday, August 01, 2011 at 03:07:25 AM
Kareena Kapoor may have said ‘yes’ to play Mandakini’s character in Milan Luthria’s Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Part 2, but little did she know what being Madakini really meant.
Mandakini in the controversial scene (above); Milan Luthria (below)
Apart from playing the don’s girlfriend, the role as envisaged by the filmmaker required Kareena to get wet under a waterfall a la Madakini style.
This technically means the actress had to wear a white saree and sit under the gushing water as done by Mandakini in her 1985 superhit film Ram Teri Ganga Maili, produced and directed by Kareena’s grandpa, the legendary (late) Raj Kapoor.
This scene, however famous, has not gone down too well with the modern day Mandakini, Kareena.
A source revealed, “Madakini is remembered for that scene in Ram Teri Ganga Maili.
Milan didn’t ask Kareena to go so bold. However, the scene that he had envisaged was quite titillating and demanded a certain amount of exposure. Kareena was not comfortable with it.”
The scene in question was meant to be Kareena’s introductory scene in OUATIM Part 2. The actress has refused to do the scene point blank.
Kareena told Luthria politely but in no uncertain terms that she wouldn’t do such a outrageously wild scene even if it weren’t to the effect of what Mandakini did.
Explaining, Luthria’s desire to have the scene in the first place, our source said, “See, there’s no denying that OUATIM Part 2 is a story based on the dreaded underworld don Dawood and his friend-turned-foe Chhota Rajan.
And Kareena plays the role similar to that of Mandakini, who was allegedly very close to Dawood at a point in time. Luthria, simply wanted to establish the connect.”
The film will go on floors in January. “Work is in progress. Luthria and Bebo are working around it. Whatever is done or changed will have to suit Kareena’s sensibilities,” added our source.
Not denying the conflict, a friend of Luthria called up and said, “The scene you are referring to is a very interesting one but it is too early for Milan to talk about it. All said and done, Milan wants to work with Bebo and is very kicked about it.”