Sequels being the order of the day, it's no surprise that Raj Kumar Santoshi will make a sequel to the immensely-successful 2009 comedy Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. The sequel was supposed to go on the floors immediately after the success of the first film but it was put on hold when leading man Ranbir Kapoor seemed disinclined to go down the same route.
At that point of time, Ranbir wasn't kicked by the idea of doing sequels. But now that he is doing a sequel to Ayaan Mukerjee's Wake Up Sid, a sequel to Ajab Prem worked out fine too.
According to a source, "Santoshi has been under pressure from his producers Tips to do a sequel. But he has so far shunned sequels, even one to the historic comedy Andaz Apna Apna. Now with all his recent projects going no further than announcement (the Abhishek-Aishwarya rom-com Ladies & Gentlemen) or the first schedule (Power), Santoshi had second thoughts."
Apparently, leading lady Katrina Kaif was mighty kicked by carrying the Ajab Prem story forward.
Says a source, "It is Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani 2 that Katrina has signed up with Santoshi for, and not the Jackky Bhagnani film, as reported, which was never offered to Katrina."
When contacted Santoshi evaded from making a comment on the Ajab Prem sequel but fumed at the mention of the reported Rs 20 crores that was offered to Katrina to do a film opposite Bhagnani.
"I don't know where such baseless stories come from. I've never offered Katrina that film. She's a friend, and I know exactly what to make with her next," says the irate director.
Continues the director, "Who pays that kind of ridiculous money to a leading lady? Nothing is decided yet about the film with Jackky Bhagnani and there's no question of Katrina being paired with him."
When contacted, Katrina says, "I was never offered that other project. I'd love to do another film with Santoshiji. I had a ball shooting for Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. I had suggested a sequel even when it was released."
