'Salman kicked up about playing Mogambo'

Boney Kapoor is all set to produce the sequel of Mr India (1987). “The film will be shot in 3D with a budget of over Rs 150 crore. I’m roping in international technicians for the special effects,” says Boney. Currently, three screenwriters are working on the script. However, he says, “it will only go on the floors after No Entry 2’s release in 2012, and is expected to hit theatres in November 2014.”

Though Shekhar Kapur directed the original, the producer is still unsure about whether he will helm the sequel. “Mr India and Shekhar go together. In what capacity, I don’t know, but he will be part of it,” he says.

Boney also has plans of roping in son Arjun Kapoor and a newcomer, as his love interest, for the film that will bring Anil and Sri together after Judaai (1997).

Amrish Puri, who played the legendary baddie Mogambo, passed away a few years ago. Recalling his cult performance Boney says, “His death was a huge loss for the film industry. Mr India wouldn’t be the same without Amrish’s deadly portrayal of Mogambo and his famous dialogue ‘Mogambo khush hua…’.”

The sequel will see playing the villain. “I have spoken to about the idea and he is kicked about it. I want only him for the negative lead. But we need to finish the script and show him. I will be roping in international experts to create a very menacing look for him,” says Boney, who has worked with the Dabangg (2010) actor on Wanted (2009) and No Entry (2005). “Anil Kapoor and Sridevi will continue to play Arun Verma and Seema Sohni from the original.”

Interestingly, Mr India was also the last script Salim-Javed ever wrote together. Even though they had parted ways in 1982, the writer-duo collaborated on the science-fiction film only on Shekhar’s insistence.

Though Boney says it’s too early to reveal the storyline of the sequel, he does maintain, “Mr India had elements of sci-fi, an invisible man and some fantastic dialogues and songs. Those elements will remain interspersed with some new age technology. We have roped in AR Rahman to compose music for the film.”

Boney will produce the sequel along with Sahara Motion Pictures, the company he heads the entertainment department of.