2.0: Kamal Haasan was offered Akshay Kumars role, reveals Shankar

By: Express Web Desk | Bengaluru | Published: November 1, 2018 1:19:48 pm

Shankar directorial 2.0 is the costliest film ever made in India with a budget of approximately Rs 500 crore.

Director Shankar is gearing up for the release of his magnum opus 2.0 starring Rajinikanth and Akshay Kumar in the lead roles. With more than Rs 500 crore as budget, the upcoming sci-fi is the costliest film ever made in India.

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Shankars desire to cast legendary Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger as the main antagonist in the Rajinikanth starrer is no secret. But the ace filmmaker has now revealed that the coveted role went to another legendary actor before Akshay finally lapped it up.

Shankar noted that he almost finalized the deal with Arnold. He recalled that even the Hollywood star was very keen on the project but sadly while drafting the contract, the filmmakers were not able to agree on everything. “Later I thought Kamal sir will be a great choice for the role. It was my desire to see Rajini sir and Kamal sir in the same movie. Jeyamohan (2.0 dialogue writer) and I met Kamal and discussed the role. But Kamal was more interested in doing Indian 2 and so we moved on,” the director revealed in an interview with Vikatan.

Before Superstar Rajinikanth attained unparalleled stardom, he was playing second fiddle in Kamals films. Rajinikanth was a struggling actor and Kamal was a shining star at the time. The twin pillars of Tamil cinema have shared screen space in many movies.

After 1979 film Ninaithale Inikkum, Kamal decided not to work with Rajinikanth in films, so that he could get his own solo films.

2.0 days to go! #2Point0Trailer on November 3.@2Point0movie @DharmaMovies @LycaProductions #2Point0 #2Point0TrailerOnNov3 pic.twitter.com/y1lUGgU83X

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) November 1, 2018

Akshay Kumar came to know about the antagonist role in 2.0 through Lyca Productions, which was interested in remaking Vijays Kaththi in Hindi with him in the lead. “I narrated the story to him and he was keen on playing the role. Eventually, the role was destined to go to Akshay. Or we can say, its for the best the role went to him,” Shankar added.

While refusing to reveal the details of Akshays character, Shankar assured that his character has many dimensions and the audience will like it.

2.0 trailer will be launched in Chennai on November 3 at a grand event. The 3D trailer will also be simultaneously screened across the country in theaters.

2.0 is due in cinemas on November 29.

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