Recounting how Khan had not responded to his story pitch in 2018, Bajrangi Bhaijaan writer says sequel announcement came as a pleasant surprise
Salman Khan. Pic/AFP
Salman Khan took his fans by surprise during a promotional event for RRR last month, when he announced that a sequel to Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) is in the works. As it turns out, the sentiment was not restricted to the superstar’s admirers alone. The news about Pawan Putra Bhaijaan — as Khan has christened the sequel — came as a bolt from the blue for KV Vijayendra Prasad, the veteran writer who penned the much-loved 2015 hit. “Salman’s announcement came as a total surprise,” laughs Prasad, well aware of Khan’s spontaneous nature.
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A still from Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Happy as he is that the actor has put the sequel on the fast-track, the noted writer reveals that talks of a second instalment had, in fact, begun in late 2018. “Three years ago, I shared a sequel idea with Salman bhai. At the time, I didn’t get a yes or no from him. I didn’t know whether he had liked the story as he did not say anything, nor did he respond later. That is why I had never spoken about Pawan Putra Bhaijaan.” Though a bit late, Khan gave his nod to the project in a grand fashion — on the stage and in the presence of the RRR cast.
KV Vijayendra Prasad
Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which also starred Kareena Kapoor Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Harshaali Malhotra, was helmed by Kabir Khan. While the director is self-admittedly averse to the idea of creating sequels, the buzz is that he will resume his place behind the camera for the upcoming instalment. “I don’t know who is directing the sequel. It is up to Salman bhai and him. While it is a natural assumption on my part to think Kabir will, and I would want him to as he did a wonderful job in Bajrangi Bhaijaan, I have no role in the decision-making process,” says the writer.
mid-day has learnt that the actor intends to meet Prasad next month, to develop the script further. A trade source reveals, “After Salman’s announcement, a mutual friend called Prasad sir to inform him that the actor will be Hyderabad-bound in February to shoot a cameo and dance sequence for Chiranjeevi’s Godfather. He is likely to meet Prasad then.”
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