Indian 2: Shankar to retain Vivek's portions in Kamal Haasan-starrer?

The latest buzz is director Shankar has decided to retain the portions of late comedy icon Viviek in Indian 2. It was earlier speculated that Shankar had plans to reshoot all the scenes of Vivek with a new actor. If the rumours come true, then it would fulfil Vivek's long-time wish to be seen on the big screen along with Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan. An official word on the same, however, is awaited. 

Vivek was a big fan of Kamal. And he was also discovered, nurtured, trained and launched by legendary filmmaker K. Balachander. Vivek, however, in his long and successful career in cinema did get the opportunity to work with Kamal in films. Even during the height of his popularity, Viviek didn't land an acting job in Kamal's films. It's worth remembering that during a film event, Vivek playfully reminded Kamal that they both had not shared screen space together. And Kamal had made a promise of sorts that he will soon work with him. 

And Vivek finally landed a key role in Kamal's most-awaited movie Indian 2. The production of the film came to a grinding halt following a freak accident on the sets in Indian 2 in February 2020, killing at least three crew members. Shankar and Kamal had then recalled that they were very close to the accident spot and they were "saved by a whisker." And the subsequent Covid-induced lockdown and Shankar's disagreements with Lyca Productions further delayed the project. 

On April 17, 2021, Vivek died following a cardiac arrest. 

Indian 2 was in cold storage for some time. However, the project was revived after Kamal's Vikram became a massive hit at the box office. Vikram earned nearly Rs 500 crore from its worldwide ticket sales. Red Giant Movies, the distributor of Vikram, came on board as a new producer of Indian 2, breathing a new lease of life into the project. 

Indian 2 production is going on in full swing. And it's expected to arrive in cinemas later this year.