Bollywood’s favorite action star-comedian-romantic hero, Akshay Kumar, will be playing a villain for the second time in his upcoming new film, Milan Lutharia’s Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara. The sequel to the Ajay Devgn and Emran Hashmi starrer, this film’s cast will also include Imraan Khan and Dabangg girl Sonakashi Sinha and Sonali Bendre. The film is slated for release on August 15th, 2013.
Akshay Kumar as Manav Mangli
Akshay’s new avatar will be to enact a negative role as a flamboyant gangster in this film. He has not stepped into such a role since 2001 when he played the role of Vikram Bajaj in Ajnabee.
The plot of his upcoming film is centered on the violent, unpredictable, and problematic gang wars of Mumbai that took place in the 1980s. Although there are rumors that the film is based on the two well-known notorious gangsters Dawood Ibrahim and Chota Rajan, Akshay Kumar clarified the rumors in an interview with India West, “I play the character of Shoaib who is an underworld don; it is fictional and not related to anyone real. It is a continuation of part one. I had seen Shoaib’s character in the first part, and I carry the character forward. I did not think of a comparison. We do films because we like the script…I feel we are not in a rat race. A hero is innocent, poor and has problems with family. The villain also beats him up while the villain is at the top. I loved playing the larger-than-life villain’s character. You get to play such characters rarely, so you should not let such opportunities go.” Kumar has said.
In Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Again, Kumar said in a press conference, “Bad is the New Good. I am not trying to glorify a bad lead character; it is just a character I am playing. Not many actors agree to play a negative role.”
Aamir Khan’s nephew, Imraan Khan, also impressed Kumar. He told the press, “He [Imran Khan] did all the stunts with me and jumped from rooftops, and I was very impressed with him. I think he is the next action hero.”
Milan Lutharia who last directed The Dirty Picture said, “Akshay is a very happy guy, a wonderful happy person to work on and off the sets. Having a person like him with you gives you a lot of confidence. He kept the atmosphere very happy on the set. I also felt that the character played in the original installment by Emraan Hashmi needed to be older, with a different kind of presence.”
In the film, Akshay plays a cricket-obsessed don who uses his power to manipulate a cricket match.
Balaji Motion Pictures CEO Tanuj Garg told Deccan Chronicle that Kumar traveled to Birmingham, UK to watch the most anticipated India-Pakistan match, "As a company known for pushing the envelope on marketing, we will have our Shoaib attending the India-Pakistan match at Edgbaston. Cricket is a perfect fit with his character in the film, as evidenced in the film's first trailer as well.”
Images and Sources: Natasha Muddar/Sterling Media, IndiaWest, IndiaTimes, Hindustan Times
Video:Balaji Telefilms Video
Action Star, Ajnabee, Akshay Kumar, Anokhi Blogs, Anokhi Media, Chota Rajan, Cricket, Dawood Ibrahim, Emran Hashmi, Imraan Khan, Negative Role, Sonakshi Sinha, Underworld Don
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
World Mental Health Day: How Bollywood Has Used Its Power Of Storytelling To Address Mental Health Stigmas
-
Highlights Of Archie Panjabi, Neeru Bajwa & Iman Vellani At iSAFF2024
-
3x Emmy-Nominated Television Host & Producer Rasha Goel Launches New Podcast "Beyond the Glam" - Premiering Today!
-
Does Bollywood Accurately Portray Financial Struggles of India's Working Class?
-
Canada’s International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF) Triumphantly Unveils Its Thrilling 2024 Lineup!
-
TIFF 2024: Our Chat With Writer-Director-Star Srinivas Krishna On The 4K Restoration Of His Hidden Canadian Classic ‘Masala’
-
TIFF 2024: First-Time Filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi Dishes On ‘Boong,’ Her Funny & Profound Modern-Day Folk Tale Told From A Child's Point Of View
-
Nepotism Or Repetitive Content - What's Causing Bollywood's Slump Versus Punjabi & South Indian Cinema's Surge
-
Must-Watch Patriotic Films From India & Pakistan For Your Independence Day Celebrations
-
Villainous Vixens: How Bollywood's Leading Ladies Are Redefining Cinema's Most Memorable Antagonists
-
'Girls Will Be Girls' Wins Big At The 2024 Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA)
-
OTT Revolution: How Streaming Platforms Are Transforming Indian Cinema
-
A Train Bloodbath With A 90% On Rotten Tomatoes - Why You Should Watch TIFF-Acclaimed Indian Action Flick 'Kill'
-
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Celebrates Its 22nd Edition June 27-30 With An Incredible Lineup Of 21 Films
-
Pride Month & Beyond: LGBTQIA+ Representation in South Asian Cinema
-
From Stoic Protectors to Emotional Anchors: A Father’s Day Tribute Through Hindi Cinema
-
Exploring South Asian Intergenerational Sacrifice With 'The Wrong Bashir', Now Playing In Toronto
-
Bollywood & Beyond: Must-Watch Films for Vibrant Insight Into Muslim Cultures
-
Over 50 Films From 9 Countries At The Eclectic South Asian Film Festival Montreal (May 24 - June 3)
-
Mother's Day Special: How Bollywood & Hollywood Super Moms Show Us Women Can Have It All!
-
Emerging Talents and Established Icons: Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with Us!
-
Revealing Truths: South Asian Cinema's Contribution to Earth Day Awareness
-
Review: Monkey Man - Dev Patel Sets the Screen Ablaze with Electrifying Action
-
Exclusive Q&A With Diljit Dosanjh on the Dil-Luminati Tour and the Exciting Simplii Collaboration!
-
12 South Asian Female Artists Who Are Changing Hollywood's Landscape
-
Transitional Representation of South Asian Women in The World of Entertainment
-
Hot February 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
How Jesse "Punjabi Timbit" Singh Explores Emotional Healing Through His Comedy
-
Rukus Avenue Radio, The World's #1 South Asian Radio Station, Joins The iHeartRadio App
-
From Silent Frames To Global Fame: Key Moments That Shaped Bollywood
-
Hot January 2024 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Kerala Actor Santhy Balachandran Celebrates Her Three Incredible Releases In 2023
-
Hot December 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
The Real Reason Why Bollywood Directors Love English In Their Titles
-
Diwali Dance Fest Makes History at Walt Disney World® Resort!
-
TIFF 2023: Deepa Mehta and Sirat Taneja Share Why 'I Am Sirat’ Is The Transgender Story To Be Told
-
The International South Asian Film Festival 2023 (iSAFF) Wraps With A Celebration Of Outstanding Global South Asian Pathbreakers
-
TIFF 2023: 'We Grown Now' Director Minhal Baig Shares With Us Why Neighbourhood Stories Should Be Told
-
Event Alert: BMO International Film Festival Of South Asia Toronto (IFFSA) Is Every Filmi Lover's Dream
-
TIFF 2023: ‘The Queen of My Dreams’ Reigns Over TIFF With Style, Wit And Heart
-
The 21st Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (IFFLA) Returns With A Bang!
-
Brendan D'Souza Will Never Cheat On Their One True Love (Stand Up!)
-
Event Alert: South Asian Global Cinema Takes Centre Stage At The International South Asian Film Festival
-
Diwali Comes Alive At Walt Disney World With The First Ever Diwali Dance Fest
-
TIFF 2023: 11 South Asian Films Coming To The Toronto International Film Festival
-
Hot September 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Singers Karan Aujla & Jonita Gandhi Sign On To Warner Music Canada/India's Label '91 North Records'
-
4 Ways Alia Bhatt Steals The Show In The Hot Netflix Film "Heart Of Stone"
-
Priyanka And Nick Jonas Get Ready For The Jonas Brothers' Tour At Yankee Stadium!
-
Hot August 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
5 Reasons Why You Should Watch “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”
-
JFL Exclusive: How Comedian Zarna Garg Showed Kevin Hart That Brown Women Can Be Funny Too
-
JFL Exclusive: Award-Winning Podcast Comedian Maddy Kelly Is The Next Gen Star
-
Hot July 2023 Films From Bollywood And Beyond!
-
Event Alert: “Mughal-E-Azam: The Musical" Kicks Off Canadian Tour With Upcoming Toronto Stop
-
#ANOKHI20: The ANOKHI Emerald Ball Was The Perfect Grand Finale To ANOKHI’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations