Abhishek to step into Dev Anand's shoes?

Abhishek to step into Dev Anand's shoes?

Sunil Shetty is considering Bachchan Jr for Johny Mera Naam's remake

Sandipan Dalal
sandipan.dalal@mid-day.com

With Bhagam Bhaag wrapping up, Sunil Shetty has all the reasons to concentrate on his next big project. After months of pondering, the actor (in collaboration with producer Shabbir Boxwala) will attempt to remake the yesteryear classic Johny Mera Naam, which had Dev Anand playing the lead under Vijay Anand's direction. This time around, Shetty has roped in David Dhawan to call the shots. "We have bounced the idea with our good friend Rajiv Rai, and he has given his consent to it," says Shetty.
Modified script
Ask him why he chose to remake the classic and the actor replies, "Apart from the entertainment quotient, it's amazing to see the human bond of those times."
After acquiring the remake rights, Dhawan is presently working on the script and the cast is yet to be finalised. Those in the know reveal that Shetty is in talks with Abhishek Bachchan to essay the lead character. Says co-producer Shabbir Boxwala, "The script has been modified to today's times and we are considering Abhishek. In fact, Sunil is talking to him for the film."
Will Shetty be a part of the film? "I won't be acting in any of my home productions. My intentions are to make a good film," maintains the actor.
I want Junior!
Rumours abound that Rajiv Rai (son of Gulshan Rai, who made the original) had put his foot down and demanded that Bachchan Junior be taken for Dev Anand's celebrated role. When quizzed about it, Rai says, "It was put to me very casually a few months back when I was Los Angeles. They're very good friends and I wouldn't intervene in their vision. As far as the cast is concerned, it's their baby and they have to take a call," he says.
However, Rai feels that re-interpreting a classic is a challenging task. "Remaking a film is part of the climate these days in Bollywood. If it's a big classic like Gone With The Wind, one should let it be. One might attempt a relatively smaller classic. But it all depends on how well one can supersede it," says a sceptical Rai.