Don’t know how far this is true, but the buzz is that Southern superstar Rajnikanth is being sought for a role in Anees Bazmee’s Aankhen 2. The sequel to the 2002 film Aankhen which centred on a disgraced bank manager who plots a bank heist by three blind men was recently announced and of the original film, only Amitabh Bachchan and Arjun Rampal make the cut for the sequel. The others in this heist thriller directed by Vipul Shah based on his Gujarati play Andhalo Pato included Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Sushmita Sen. None of them are in Aankhen 2.

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When the sequel to be directed by Bazmee first made the news in August 2016, it was thought shooting would commence and Aankhen 2 would release in Diwali 2017 and clash with Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal Again. Bazmee had brought in Anil Kapoor for the sequel and said he would shortly announce the names of “two established actors” who would join the star cast of Aankhen 2. But nothing happened. Now it is being understood that Arshad Warsi, to bring in some comic relief, and Ileana D’Cruz in the role of a lethal woman have joined the cast.

But there is a strong rumour that Rajnikanth may be roped in to play the role of a mysterious man in this film. Bazmee has given no indication who the actor to play this role will be. But the director was quoted in the media as having said that there’s a big surprise in store in Aankhen 2. Bollywood trade sources say, after getting the Big B on board, there can be no bigger surprise than pairing the legendary actor with that other heavyweight of the South – Rajnikanth himself. While Arjun and Arshad will take on the roles of the blind men, Bazmee is reportedly searching for another young actor to complete the trio. This time, the three blind men will rob a casino.