Sequel of Welcome stars Sunny Leone and Nargis Fak

Katrina Kaif out? Sequel of Welcome stars Sunny Leone and Nargis Fakhri

Anees Bazmee's sequel to Welcome calledWelcome Back has sprung a few surprises in the casting department. While there are reports of Akshay Kumar not being part of the film, it now comes to light that Katrina Kaif (who was paired opposite Akshay Kumar) and Mallika Sherawat (who was with Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar) are also not part of the sequel, which begins shooting from June.

A source connected to the film says, "Katrina was married to Akshay in Welcome and as he's not in the sequel we cannot cast her either. As for Mallika, she is no longer as hot as she used to be, so Anees is keen to replace her with Sunny Leone. As for Katrina's role, while many actresses are being considered, Nargis Fakri is most likely to land the part opposite John, who has stepped in place of Akki." Producer Firoz Nadiadwala however refuses to confirm the name of the leading lady. He plays it safe with, "We are in talks with different actresses and will sign them according to their availability of dates."

Anees confirms, "Yes, Katrina and Mallika won't be a part of Welcome 2. The story in the sequel is not an extension of Welcome but completely different from the original. The characters in Welcome Back are absolutely different from the original."