Amitabh Bachchan to do a cameo in Zanjeer remake

While re-inventing Bachchan classics has become quite fashionable in Bollywood of late, word is that Big B wasn't taken into confidence either before the remaking of Don or Agneepath. Also, contrary to rumours, Abhishek Bachchan wasn't offered the lead in the newbie Agneepath.


In a departure from the norm, Apoorva Lakhia, director of the remake of Zanjeer, has sought the Bachchans complete consent before embarking on his ambitious project. Going a step further, Lakhia even offered the lead to Abhishek before any other actor.


According to a source close to the film, Abhishek declined saying he wouldn't want to put himself in direct comparison with his father by doing any of his films. That's when the director, along with producer Amit Mehra, son of late Prakash Mehra who produced and directed the original Zanjeer, decided to explore other opportunities.


A source close to the project told Mirror, "Apu and Junior (that's what Lakhia calls Abhishek), go back a long way. From the time Apu made his first film Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost, either Abhishek or his father or both have featured in all his films. Apu couldn't dream of doing Zanjeer with any other actor except Abhishek. So the first thing he did when he decided to remake Zanjeer was to drive down to the Bachchan residence and offer Inspector Vijay's role to Abhishek."


With Abhishek refusing to play the part, Lakhia, for whom the project would be incomplete without Big B's presence, finally managed to get Bachchan Sr to do a cameo in his film. Asked for further details, he simply said, "Right now, it's really too early to talk about the extent of Mr Bachchan's participation in Zanjeer. But yes, I can't dream of remaking Zanjeer without Mr Bachchan, Jayaji and Abhishek's participation. The project has their blessing and support. Beyond that, it's too early to say anything."


Meanwhile, a reliable source revealed that Big B would soon be meeting the leading man of the new Zanjeer aka Telugu star Ram Charan Teja, with the latter having expressed a keen desire to seek the original Vijay's blessings and advice. Lakhia has even written a scene where the new and old Vijay come together. That's something to look forward to.