EXCLUSIVE: Akshay Kumar refuses an extended cameo in ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’

There’s been constant chatter about the new age sequels. Adding on to the bandwagon of already planned franchises is ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’. Thirteen years after Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan spinned magic with their performances in what can be termed as one of the best and first psychological thrillers of the country, the makers have decided to come up with a reboot. The first look of the film has already been unveiled. Kartik Aaryan will play the desi ghostbuster in the second instalment.

But the hunt for the other characters is on. Reveals a source, “Akshay Kumar was in talks for a big cameo or a special appearance in ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’. He had to shoot for about 9-10 days where his character from the original returns to help Kartik’s character which is also of a psychologist. It’s exactly like how Akki’s guru ji came to his rescue in the first part. Kartik was supposed to play Akshay’s student and it would have been their first on-screen reunion, given that Kartik has always been a huge Akshay fan.”

But that plan was too good to be true. “Akshay has turned down the offer. He’s good friends with one part of the producers – Murad Khetani and Ashwin Varde and would have done it for them. They have produced his film ‘The Shaukeens’. But he called them up recently and told them he cannot do the film. He is extremely busy with his film schedules. After ‘Sooryavanshi’ and ‘Laxmmi Bomb’, he starts work on ‘Bachchan Pandey’ and ‘Ikka’. He has no time to spare and the team plans to go on the floors in January,” shares the source.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0XkaPaHRH8/

Another big reason why Akshay has opted out is because of the presence of Bhushan Kumar. The source further revealed, “They have unsettled dues between them. Akshay was supposed to do ‘Mogul’, the biopic on Gulshan Kumar which he backed out of and Bhushan took it very personally. He even returned the signing amount for the film and declined another offer from the banner – which is supposed to be Divya Khosla’s next directorial. Bhushan and Akshay had a major fallout around a year ago and after that, they weren’t on talking terms. Murad and Ashwin tried to settle things between the two but to no avail. Akshay isn’t ready to play sidekick to Kartik. So he has politely turned it down. Now, the team is planning to go ahead without Akshay’s character. He might be mentioned in the film but he won’t have any cameo. But Akshay has promised to help the team in the film’s promotions.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1VOnqIlgzx/

Meanwhile, the team is looking at casting a young A-lister as the main female protagonist. “They had approached Sara Ali Khan but she’s unsure because of her date schedule with the other projects she’s already committed to. Apart from that, they are now talking to two-three other actresses from the younger generation. It needs to be seen who gives their nod to the project opposite Kartik,” signs off the source. 

Well, your guess is as good as ours!

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Sidharth Malhotra miffed with the makers of ‘Jabariya Jodi’; Here’s why?