The buzz around Nayak 2, a sequel to 2001's cult movie Nayak is intensifying with time. A couple of days ago, reports claimed that producer Mukut confirmed the sequel is in progress. Moreover, what added to the excitement was the team planning to retain the OGs aka Anil Kapoor and Rani Mukerji in their respective roles. While fans are eagerly waiting for more updates on Nayak 2, here we bring an interesting tale about Nayak and Shah Rukh Khan.
Undeniably, Anil Kapoor as Shivaji Rao, 'Ek Din Ka CM', nailed his character and won everyone's heart with his powerful performance. However, least are aware that Shah Rukh Khan was the first choice of the makers and King Khan had signed the movie. But, the Animal actor replaced SRK after the Pathaan actor walked out of the project.
SRK walked out of the project after taking one rupee as the signing amount for Nayak
In the late 90s and early 2000s, SRK had established himself as one of the most successful and bankable actors. Every producer and director wished to work with King Khan.
Earlier, during an interview, SRK revealed that he was supposed to headline the 2001 political thriller, helmed by Shankar.
During the interview with Rediff, the Jawan actor revealed that he had signed the movie and took only one rupee as the signing amount. He also revealed that he was ready to give his dates in bulk to the director. But, eventually, the project didn't materialise and he walked out of it.
SRK was quoted as saying, "Did he (Shankar) also tell you that I signed for him and took a signing amount? You know how much? One rupee. I took one rupee from him. And told him I would give him dates in bulk whenever he wanted them.”
Movie lovers are well aware that Nayak was a remake of Shankar’s 1999 Tamil-language film Mudhalvan.
Also Read: Nayak 2 is happening with OGs? Producer to retain Anil Kapoor and Rani Mukerji! Know details
Further, the Bollywood Badshah said that he had watched the Tamil movie and 'loved it'.
SRK said, "But I was not comfortable about doing the Hindi version. I told Shankar that in Tamil, that whole chief minister for a day thing worked brilliantly, but I did not think it was such a big issue in North India. I didn’t think the concept would work as it is. So, on that project, we had some issues — nothing major, just that we didn’t think alike on a few things, so it did not make sense to do it."
Further, he added, "But I still have that signing amount; he still has my promise of dates. He is one guy I most definitely want to work with. For me, he is like James Cameron — you know, he makes out-and-out entertainers on a gigantic scale, and that kind of thing can be a huge high.”
Interestingly, SRK again came close to Shankar to collaborate in Rajinikanth-starrer's huge sci-fi epic Enthiran. But, the project didn't happen due to creative differences. Furthermore, they were in talks last year for another project, but that project even didn't work out.