Why Bollywood desperately needs a sequel to Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Aankhen’.

After facing a low phase in the 1990s, legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan made a strong comeback through the hit quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati. This return was followed by a series of box office successes like Mohabbatein and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Among those hits was the 2002 heist thriller Aankhen — a film still remembered for its fresh concept and gripping story.

What Was Aankhen All About?

Directed by Vipul Amritlal Shah (Namastey London), Aankhen was based on a popular Gujarati play. It told the story of Vijay Singh Rajput, a brilliant but unpredictable banker played by Amitabh Bachchan. After being wrongly fired from his job, he decides to take revenge by planning a daring bank robbery.

But here’s the twist — he recruits three blind men to carry out the heist and hires a teacher to train them. The cast also included Akshay Kumar, Arjun Rampal, Paresh Rawal, and Sushmita Sen. At the time of its release, the movie received positive reviews from both critics and audiences. It stood out for being stylish, clever, and unlike anything Bollywood had done before.

Why a Sequel to Aankhen Is Needed Now More Than Ever

Even today, Bollywood hasn’t produced another heist film with the same creativity and suspense as Aankhen. It was a smart thriller with a unique idea, a genre that Bollywood doesn’t explore often. In today’s era, where most movies are either remakes or franchise films, audiences are craving fresh, original content.

A sequel to Aankhen can fill that gap. It could explore modern themes like digital banking crimes, online scams, or high-tech surveillance — all while keeping the core thrill and smart storytelling of the original film. Bringing back the original cast — Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, and Arjun Rampal — could add both nostalgia and excitement.

A sequel won’t just be about reliving an old hit. It can show that Bollywood is capable of producing intelligent, genre-based cinema that can compete with the best. It’s time Bollywood moves beyond remakes of South Indian blockbusters and invests in powerful storytelling again.

What Happened to Aankhen 2?

Years ago, a sequel was officially announced, with Amitabh Bachchan expected to return and Sachin Pilgaonkar as the director. However, the project didn’t move forward. Later, in 2020, new reports claimed that actors like Siddharth Malhotra, Akshaye Khanna, and Sunil Grover would join the cast along with Mr. Bachchan.

Eventually, director Abhinay Deo (Delhi Belly, 24 TV series) was brought on board. But he later revealed that Amitabh Bachchan backed out, mainly because the film was planned to be shot in Europe, and the timing didn’t work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Without him, the film was shelved again.

Since then, there hasn’t been any official update.

Final Thoughts

Right now, the sequel to Aankhen is not in the works. But there is still hope. Director Abhinay Deo seems like the perfect choice to bring this vision to life. With his strong storytelling skills and bold ideas, he could create a powerful and modern heist thriller.

Bollywood truly needs Aankhen 2. It’s the kind of smart and exciting cinema that could bring back the magic of original storytelling.

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