Mumbai: Superstar Salman Khan’s Dabangg has become a huge franchise in itself. It tells the story of Chulbul Pandey, a police officer who has his own way of dealing with corruption. The franchise also stars Sonakshi Sinha and Arbaaz in key roles. And now when the makers are coming up with Dabangg 3, we talk to the producer, Arbaaz Khan about the future plans of the beloved franchise.
Talking about it, he says, “I don’t think too far ahead. It is a very actor-driven franchise. We have taken seven years to make the third part.” He further adds, “It is not like a James Bond kind of series that you work with an actor for two years and then with someone else. The character is evergreen and it will go on. Till the time we have the actor (Salman) and we can do something his age-wise, we will do it. It is like Rocky, till the time Sylvester Stallone is there, Rocky will also be there.” Arbaaz pinpoints a similar example with Munna Bhai franchise and says, “Similarly, till the time Sanjay Dutt is there, till that time Munna Bhai will be there. I had heard they are getting Aamir Khan. Some franchises don’t work like that, you need to have the lead actors for the whole thing.”
While Arbaaz directed Dabangg 2, there were reports that he would also be directing Dabangg 3. However, Prabhudeva took charge of direction eventually. Talking about this change, the producer informs, “I did not want to direct it. We wanted a fresh person to do it. There are other reasons that you can’t discuss. Also, I was busy with other things. I will do (direction), not this one but maybe the one after that.”
Talking about the film’s release plans, he reveals, “We should wrap up by September hopefully. As of now, we want to tentatively come by the end of this year. It depends on how well we prepare. This is what we plan to do but it depends on our schedule, if it happens then we will come.”
Meanwhile, Arbaaz will next be seen in a web series titled Poison where he will be playing the antagonist.
