Andaz Apna sequel with RK, Shahid

Rajkumar Santoshi has been planning to make a sequel to his 1994 cult classic Andaz Apna Apna for quite some time now.

However, to get Aamir Khan and Salman Khan--who immortalised the characters of Amar and Prem in the rib-tickling comedy--on board is proving to be a major challenge. And now it seems Santoshi might just replace the two.

With his Shahid Kapoor-Ileana D'Cruz starrer, Phata Poster Nihkla Hero, almost ready for release, Santoshi is eager to put the sequel on floors. Mirror has learnt that instead of waiting for the two Khans, the director has decided to revamp the film with a contemporary storyline and a younger cast.

He has bounced off the idea to Shahid, who has already impressed him with his comic turn in Phata Poster. For the parallel lead, Santoshi is keen on roping in Ranbir Kapoor, with whom he has previously worked in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.

A source close to the production said: "Although Rajji ideally wants to do the film with Aamir and Salman, he is keeping his options open. Since it has almost become an impossible task to get combination dates from the two, Rajji might go ahead with Ranbir and Shahid - who are both young and commercially viable."

However, no official announcement has been made yet. When contacted, Santoshi said, "It's very early for me to take the call on the actors. I am still in the process of putting together the script, so wouldn't like to comment on the casting of Andaz Apna Apna 2."