Posted:
Akshay to do Special 26 sequel?
By Subhash K. Jha, February 16,
2013 - 11:12 hrs IST
Akshay Kumar's toned-down
avatar as a fake CBI officer
carrying out mock-raids across
the country in Neeraj Pandey's
Special 26 has gone down
extremely well with the audience.
The film is a certified hit. And
now the producers Viacom 18
are keen to carry the heist-tale
forward into not only a sequel
but an ongoing franchise, a la
Hollywood heist-brand Oceans
11/12...and so on.
The one who is most relieved
and happy is director Neeraj
Pandey who had his fingers
crossed about the success of his
second feature film.
Says Neeraj, "There was less at
stake in A Wednesday as it didn't
feature any major stars. But
Special 26 featured Akshay
Kumar and we were anxious to
see how audiences reacted to his
character and performance.
Fortunately audiences have
embraced Akshay's unusual
performance. All the actors were
my first choices and I was glad
that they agreed to be a part of
this project. Though it took time I
consider myself lucky. The
response to the film has been
very good."
About being accused of
glorifying crime by showing the
con-persons actually getting
away with their derring-do,
Neeraj is nonchalant. "I didn't
make the film to serve up a moral
lesson. I saw a terrific story
there, a family entertainer. And as
a somewhat responsible
filmmaker, one shouldn't care
too much for accusations as long
as I know what I am doing."
Both of Neeraj's films so far have
adapted the thriller format. But
he now intends to change tracks.
"I actually wanted to start my
career with a love story. But then
A Wednesday happened, now
Special 26. I may go back to love
now. I haven't decided."
Speaking of love, critics have
uniformly panned the love story
between Akshay Kumar and Kajal
Aggarwal in Special 26.
However Neeraj stands by it.
"Critics might not have liked it.
But I haven't come across a
single viewer who has objected
to it. There are certain changes
that needed to be made in the
original story. The ending, for
example. We knew what the law
enforcement agencies knew
about the original character and
his colleagues who pulled off
these fake raids. The film takes
liberties because the genre could
afford. As a writer you want a
story be engaging. It comes with
the job."
And now the sequel is being
given an added push. Apparently
the booming production
company Viacom 18 are keen to
start the sequel at the earliest.
Akshay too is willing to dole out
the dates.
Says Neeraj, "I've left the ending
open. We saw Akshay's character
leave the country with his girl. It
would now be interesting to see
what happens to him and his
colleagues. Let's see."
www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1717341/Akshay-to-do-Special-26-sequel%3F
By Subhash K. Jha, February 16,
2013 - 11:12 hrs IST
Akshay Kumar's toned-down
avatar as a fake CBI officer
carrying out mock-raids across
the country in Neeraj Pandey's
Special 26 has gone down
extremely well with the audience.
The film is a certified hit. And
now the producers Viacom 18
are keen to carry the heist-tale
forward into not only a sequel
but an ongoing franchise, a la
Hollywood heist-brand Oceans
11/12...and so on.
The one who is most relieved
and happy is director Neeraj
Pandey who had his fingers
crossed about the success of his
second feature film.
Says Neeraj, "There was less at
stake in A Wednesday as it didn't
feature any major stars. But
Special 26 featured Akshay
Kumar and we were anxious to
see how audiences reacted to his
character and performance.
Fortunately audiences have
embraced Akshay's unusual
performance. All the actors were
my first choices and I was glad
that they agreed to be a part of
this project. Though it took time I
consider myself lucky. The
response to the film has been
very good."
About being accused of
glorifying crime by showing the
con-persons actually getting
away with their derring-do,
Neeraj is nonchalant. "I didn't
make the film to serve up a moral
lesson. I saw a terrific story
there, a family entertainer. And as
a somewhat responsible
filmmaker, one shouldn't care
too much for accusations as long
as I know what I am doing."
Both of Neeraj's films so far have
adapted the thriller format. But
he now intends to change tracks.
"I actually wanted to start my
career with a love story. But then
A Wednesday happened, now
Special 26. I may go back to love
now. I haven't decided."
Speaking of love, critics have
uniformly panned the love story
between Akshay Kumar and Kajal
Aggarwal in Special 26.
However Neeraj stands by it.
"Critics might not have liked it.
But I haven't come across a
single viewer who has objected
to it. There are certain changes
that needed to be made in the
original story. The ending, for
example. We knew what the law
enforcement agencies knew
about the original character and
his colleagues who pulled off
these fake raids. The film takes
liberties because the genre could
afford. As a writer you want a
story be engaging. It comes with
the job."
And now the sequel is being
given an added push. Apparently
the booming production
company Viacom 18 are keen to
start the sequel at the earliest.
Akshay too is willing to dole out
the dates.
Says Neeraj, "I've left the ending
open. We saw Akshay's character
leave the country with his girl. It
would now be interesting to see
what happens to him and his
colleagues. Let's see."
www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1717341/Akshay-to-do-Special-26-sequel%3F
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