On Shankar’s birthday, Kamal Haasan confirms Indian 2’s fate: ‘Together let’s achieve more’

“Let’s take pride as ‘Indian.’ Together let’s achieve more. A very happy birthday to Shankar, the director who made heads turns across the country with his grand movies,” Kamal wrote in his birthday message.

Indian 2, a sequel to the duo’s 1996 blockbuster Indian, went on the floors in 2019 and the production was going on at a brisk speed. However, a freak accident on the sets of Indian 2 brought the shooting to a grinding halt. A crane holding heavy lighting equipment snapped and fell on the crew members, killing three and injuring 10 others in February 2020. The subsequent lockdown induced by the Covid-outbreak threw the film’s fate into uncertainty.

‘இந்தியன்’ என்பதில் பெருமிதம் கொள்வோம்; இணைந்தே இன்னும் பல சாதனைகள் செய்வோம்! பிரமாண்ட திரைப்படங்களால் இந்தியாவையே திரும்பிப் பார்க்கச் செய்த இயக்குனர் @shankarshanmugh அவர்களுக்கு இனிய பிறந்தநாள் வாழ்த்துக்கள்.

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) August 17, 2022

Shankar and Kamal had several disagreements with the film’s producers Lyca Productions, adding to the instability of the project. While the project was put in cold storage as the filmmakers negotiated to sort problems through several rounds of talks and court cases, several changes happened to the film’s original star cast. Veteran actor Nedumudi Venu, who had played a key role in Indian, and was also part of Indian 2, passed away in 2021. Comedy icon Vivek, who was also part of the cast, passed away following a severe heart attack in 2021. The filmmakers are now in search of roping in a set of new actors to replace those who have passed away.

Shankar is directing a Telugu film with Ram Charan, which has been tentatively titled RC 15. And Kamal delivered Vikram, which became the biggest hit in his career.

It is said that Shankar and Kamal will resume shooting for Indian 2 in September.