Anil Kapoor to play Salman Khan's on-screen father in Race 3

As the sharp Inspector Robert D'Costa who enjoyed munching on fruits as much as he did solving a case, Anil Kapoor was an integral part of 'Race' (2008) and 'Race 2' (2013). The latest star to join the cast of the third instalment of the action franchise, Kapoor won't be reprising his inspector role in the film. mid-day has learnt that the star instead will be playing Salman Khan's dad in 'Race 3'.

Anil Kapoor

Turns out, the actor will be seen as a slick and stylish business tycoon. An insider reveals, "Anil is the head of the family that Salman is a part of. He plays a pivotal character in the film."

A little deeper probing reveals that the role was initially offered to Amitabh Bachchan. "After mulling over it for a while, Big B turned it down. Anil too had reservations when he was offered the project. But this week, he finally relented."

Khan, who is close to the Kapoor family, was instrumental in changing the senior actor's mind. "While Salman goaded him into coming on board, Anil was also offered a handsome remuneration for the film."

Salman Khan

Kapoor hasn't shied away from ageing on screen -- he recently played dad to Priyanka Chopra and Ranveer Singh in 'Dil Dhadakne Do' (2015). However, it'll be interesting to see Kapoor, only nine years senior to 51-year-old Khan, play dad to the latter. In fact, Khan also romanced the senior actor's daughter Sonam Kapoor in 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' (2015).

Producer Ramesh Taurani says, "All I can say is that Anil plays the head of the family and not what he has played in the earlier parts of 'Race'."

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