Akshay Kumar has opted for a big career change by choosing to play the villain, Dr. Richard, in Rajinikanth's 2.0, also called Robot 2. Akshay, who is known to play positive characters, be it the rescuer in Airlift or the happy-go-lucky guy in Singh is Kinng, is going to play a negative character after sixteen years.In an interview with Bollywoodlife.com Akshay revealed what made him sign the film, despite the strong grey shades in his character. "The script, Shankar sir, Rajini sir- the whole combination. And I always wanted to work in South. Heard so much about the professionalism. It’s great to be a part of this kind of a film," said Kumar.
The posters show Akshay in a never seen before avatar. He seems to be going all out with the wicked vibe.
"It’s been long since I have done a negative role. I played a negative role long back, in a film called Ajnabee. And that’s why I did it," he added further. According to a Deccan Chronicle report, Akshay Kumar is seen as a benevolent, kind force by the viewers and his evil roles have always been rejected by them. The makers are therefore trying to minimise his antagonism, to evoke sympathy in the audience.
2.0 is going to be a science-fiction film starring Rajinikanth, Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson among others. It is a sequel to the 2010 Tamil film Enthiran which had Aishwarya Rai and Rajinikanth in leading roles. Enthiran was dubbed in Hindi and titled Robot, hence the title Robot 2. Rajinikanth will be reprising his role as Dr. Vaseegaran and Chitti in 2.0. The film will be released in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. The film is being made on a mammoth budget of Rs. 4.8 billion and is being directed by S Shankar.
Robot 2 was initially going to be released on 18 October 2017 but has now been postponed to 25 January.
Updated Date: May 27, 2017 18:45 PM.After Ajay Devgn's dream project Shivaay's major clash with Ae Dil Hai Mushkil at the box office this Diwali, the actor was all set for a clash again next year, with Golmaal 4 scheduled to release at the same time as Rajinikanth's Robot 2.0.Rohit Shetty and Rajinikanth. Image courtesy: News18.com
But can anyone stand up to Rajinikanth? Knowing better, Golmaal director Rohit Shetty has decided to move his release date from 19 October, 2017 and let the Tamil superstar have the Diwali weekend.
Rohit Shetty had earlier announced Diwali 2017 as the release date for the fourth instalment of his comedy film. DNA reports that Shetty is himself a big fan of Rajinikanth and out of respect for him, was only too glad to shift his release date.
However, it is only trade sources who say that Robot 2.0 will be releasing during Diwali 2017 as Shankar, the director of the film, has not confirmed a date for the film.
Shetty's previous film Dilwale had clashed with Bajirao Mastani last year and the result was not too pleasant for the director. This could also be another reason for Shetty reconsidering the release date.
It is unclear if the release date will be advanced or postponed now as the new date for Golmaal 4 has not been declared yet.Akshay Kumar will not be a part of sequels of his films Hera Pheri, Aankhen, Awara Pagal Deewana and Baby, instead he is will be seen in a film with an interesting concept and an even more interesting title – Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat initiative, the film hopes to further the government's campaign against open defecation.
Also starring Bhumi Pednekar, the film will be shot between November and January and though there's no confirmation about it, some reports suggest that the film will tentatively be released in late May or early June next year.
Neeraj Pandey, who's closely associated with the film told Hindustan Times, "The film (Toilet: Ek Prem Katha) is not being directed by me. It is a script written by my team members – Siddharth and Garima. I just mentored them. The project is going on the floors by the end of this year, and it’s going to be directed by my editor."
Apart from the satirical comedy the actor will also be seen in Jolly LLB 2, Neeraj Pandey's Crack and Rajinikanth's Robot 2.0 next yAkshay Kumar's latest Toilet: Ek Prem Katha has been dubbed as a 'propaganda film' by some sections but the actor today said there is nothing wrong in raising relevant issues, which even the government is concerned about, through cinema.
Directed by Shree Narayan Singh, the film stars Akshay in the lead role of a man, who tries to win back his wife by building a toilet at his home.
When asked about the criticism of the movie, Akshay told reporters, "If the government is saying the same thing which is good and if you call that a propaganda, then okay we are doing propaganda. I believe building a toilet is extremely important, especially for women," he said.
"I am talking about sanitary pads in Padman and you'll be sad to know that 91 per cent of women don't use it because they can't afford it. To talk about such things and bring them in the forefront isn't propaganda. You want such issues to be highlighted and talked about," said Akshay in a press conference via Skype from London.
The Rustom star is happy that Toilet... is doing a good business at the box office but he said he is more keen about getting more people to watch the movie than making money."At a lot of places the government is screening it. In Haryana, the CM is trying to show the film to the head of villages. Even in some villages in UP, it is being shown. I just got to know even Doordarshan wants to show the film soon because they have a big reach," he said.
"My idea is to grab more eyeballs and not money. That was the whole idea behind the film."
Though Akshay has been a part of socially-relevant films be it Airlift, Baby to Toilet..., the actor said he doesn't want to get typecast.
"If I like a film I'll do it. I have done a villain's role in Robot 2.0. Then I am doing a sports film Gold which is completely different. I am not just doing social films. Please don't put that tag on me."