'2.0' director had Cochin Haneefa in mind for Shajohn's role

Shankar's magnum opus '2.0' has completed its second weekend run in theatres. But for him moving forward with new projects is the key to success and is now busy with the sequel to his hit movie 'Indian'.

In his latest interview to Manorama News, Shankar has revealed that after '2.0', he is gearing up for 'Indian 2', which is the sequel to his hit movie 'Indian'. As in the prequel, 'Indian 2' will have the Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Haasan playing the lead role.

“Every project is a dream project. Right now, it's 'Indian 2'. There's also another science-fiction in the pipeline which is quite huge one,” said Shankar who completed 25 years in the industry.

Malayalam factor

While the makers are yet to officially reveal more details about Indian 2, Shankar stated that apart from Kamal Haasan, two other cast have been fixed till now. “Kajal Aggarwal will play the leading lady and actor Nedumudi Venu will play a pivotal role in 'Indian 2',” he said.

As him about how Mollywood stars make way in his movies and he said, “There are good artistes in every movie. But Malayalam actors are exceptionally well. They are very flexible and hardworking. Once if you have worked with them, you would love to work with them more often. I share a fantastic relation with many of the actors. I feel people like Haneefa were lovely to work with. Hence, I have great admiration for Malayalam stars,” he said.

Further, Shankar opened how Kalabhavan Shajohn came on board for '2.0'. “When I was writing the script, in my mind I visualised Cochin Haneefa. I later felt someone more or less like Haneefa should be roped and thus came Shajohn,” he said.

“Can you talk about Malayalam movies,” and Shankar said, “It's very rarely I watch Malayalam films but the ones I watch stay close to me. The recent ones which I liked were 'Premam' and 'Angamaly Diaries'.”

Late actor Cochin Haneefa

Thought process

In '2.0', while Shankar offers a visual spectacle, right from the moment the film opens, he unleashes one ambitious idea after another. And for this he explains his thought process.

“I keep thinking all the time. Wheather I am travelling in a car or at home, I think how about new ideas. Ideas is what audience would like, what themes would be apt to make audience talk about and how it can be made into a movie. Thus an idea is thought over and then comes the script and then visualising it,” he revealed.

Looking at 3.0

Kalabhavan Shahjohn with director Shankar

Shankar had earlier talked about his plans to make a sequel to '2.0'. “When the first part released, the viewers were demanding for the second part. But then, I was waiting... waiting for a right story. It took a while for me to make a story and develop a script for '2.0'.”

He, then, explained how he visualised the idea behind '2.0'. “As I was waiting for an idea, one day an image struck to my mind. The visual of a bunch of mobile phones dumped on a roadside. I kept pondering about questions like how it can happen, what reason can attribute for such a scene and why such a thing would have happened. Gradually, the reverse thinking paved for a story and that's how '2.0' was formed. So, if there's a good story, the third part will happen,” he said.

Talking about doing big-budget movies, Shankar said, “I have never done a movie with a big budget in mind. When a story demands things, you have to meet requirements. The making of a movie starts from a script not with budget.”

A filmmaker who joined the industry with the aim of acting, Shankar mentioned that he has no more acting wish.

“Direction needs lots of efforts compared to an actor who is more relaxed and I enjoy the making facet. Even my kids don't want to see me on screen,” he said laughingly.

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