Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has denied any knowledge of the upcoming film trilogy based on his 1987 directorial Mr India, which is being directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. He alleged that no permission had been sought from the creators of the original film and accused the makers of using the title for publicity.
“No one has even asked me or mentioned to me about this film called Mr India 2. I can only guess that they using the title to get a big weekend. For they cannot use the characters/story without permission from the original creators of the film,” he tweeted.
On Monday, 17 February, Tiger Zinda Hai director Ali Abbas Zafar and producers Zee Studios announced that he would be directing a superhero trilogy which will be based on the characters of Anil Kapoor and Sridevi-starrer Mr India. He announced the news in a tweet and said that he was currently working on the script for the first instalment. “Excited to partner with @ZeeStudios_ for an epic trilogy #MrIndia! It is a huge responsibility to carry forward an iconic character loved by everyone. Currently, working on the script, no actor has been locked till now. Once we lock the first draft of the script, casting begins!” he wrote.
The film will reportedly go on floors next year.
However, Shariq Patel, CEO, Zee Studios has clarified that the project is neither a sequel or remake of the Anil Kapoor-starrer. We are excited to have Ali on board for Mr India. This is not a part 2 or a remake of the older film as recently reported in some sections of the media, but a re-imagining of the iconic classic.”
While the cast hasn’t been announced yet, Mumbai Mirror had earlier reported that Katrina Kaif would star in the series. If the speculations are true, this will be the duo’s fourth collaboration together – Katrina starred in Zafar’s directorial debut Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, followed by spy thriller Tiger Zinda Hai and Bharat.
Directed by Shekhar Kapur and written by Salim-Javed, Mr India stars Sridevi, Anil Kapoor, Amrish Puri and Satish Kaushik. Anil plays a man who shelters orphaned children in his home. After he discovers the invisibility device that his late father, who was a scientist, had created, he uses it to save his children from the evil megalomanic Mogambo whose aim is to conquer India.
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