There are many risks that come with making a sequel. First, the story needs to be right. The film has to be bigger than the earlier version. Then comes getting the dates of the actors, and more importantly, the nod from the actor that the script is actually right.
Producer Atul Agnihotri is caught in the midst of this quandary. Earlier, Atul had a script ready for the sequel to 2011’s Bodyguard. The film was directed by director Siddqui and starred Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Hazel Keech.
Salman was keen to work on this project apart from another war film based on the Partition. But after the failure of his “anti-war film” Tubelight, Salman has steered away from roles that sees him depart from his usual image.
A source reveals, “Bhai rejected Atul’s initial script for Bodyguard 2, and told him to work on it. Salman could have given dates to Atul had the script been up to the mark. In the process, Atul lost out on the dates. Now he will have to wait till Salman wraps the shoots of both Race 3 as well as Dabangg 3 for him to get his dates. This is assuming that Salman hasn’t been approached by another filmmaker with a great script.”
Atul now hopes that his brother-in-law likes this script at least. Critics had earlier rubbished the first part of Bodyguard, which went on to be a box office success. Despite the scathing reviews, Salman proved that critics couldn’t hamper his film.
—Sanskriti Media
