String of flops have hardly deterred Akshay Kumar’s box-office stamina as he will be taking away a ransom of Rs 23 crores to play dreaded underworld Don Dawood Ibrahim in the sequel to last years block-buster Once Upon a Time In Mumbai [OUATIM].
Ekta Kapoor, the producer of OUATIM was keen on having Akshay reprising the role of Dawood that was played by Emraan Hashmi in the first part. Ever since the first part hit the bulls-eye the only thought that came to director Milan Luthria and Ekta was Akshay Kumar even though the star demanded huge money for it citing that other stars have their reservations in enacting Dawood.
Sources say that other big stars in the Bollywood were initially prepared to do the role but after knowing that the role has some controversies attached to it they opted out. OUATIM 2 will see Akshay for the first time in his career playing a full fledged role inspired from a real life character. He has previously done a cricketer role in Patiala House which was loosely based on England cricketer Monty Panesar.
OUATIM 2 will start going on floors from this December. Akshay’s leading lady for the sequel is yet to be finalized though discussions are going on since months.
So as of now with hits or misses Khiladi Kumar is the hottest property in B-town. After Akshay, Salman comes close in terms of remuneration. He has reportedly charged Rs 21 crores for Bodyguard apart from sharing profits of the film.
Surely there is no money dearth in Bollywood.