Bollywood veteran Anil Kapoor is officially returning to one of his most iconic roles nearly 25 years after the original film’s release. The political drama Nayak: The Real Hero, which came out in 2001 and went on to achieve cult status, will now get a sequel titled Nayak 2, and Kapoor is not only starring in it but also stepping into the role of co-producer alongside filmmaker Deepak Mukut.
Mukut, who previously owned the film’s copyright, confirmed that he and Kapoor are collaborating on the project, telling the Hindustan Times, “He (Anil) and I are making the film together. It is too early to say anything about it since several discussions are going on.” While many details remain under wraps at this stage — including the cast lineup, director, and production schedule — Mukut stressed that the sequel is officially underway. When asked if Anil Kapoor would reprise his original role onscreen, he responded emphatically, “Of course he will!”
The original Nayak featured a strong ensemble cast including Rani Mukerji, Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal, and Johnny Lever, and was itself a Hindi remake of the Tamil film Mudhalvan. The story centred on Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, a television cameraman who unexpectedly takes over as Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a day after challenging the incumbent leader, using the brief tenure to expose corruption and instigate reforms — a narrative that resonated widely with audiences.
Back in 2021, during the film’s 20th anniversary celebrations, Kapoor revealed that he wasn’t the first choice for the role; both Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan had passed on it before he pursued director Shankar to secure the part — a decision he has said he still cherishes.
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