Akshay Kumar. Pic/OMG 2
Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi and Yami Gautam's OMG 2 is witnessing steady growth at the box office despite stiff competition from the Gadar 2 wave. The docudrama revolving around sex education received an 'Adults Only' certification after going through the CBFC scanner. Akshay, who is one of the highest-paid stars in India at present, apparently didn't charge a single rupee for OMG 2.
Ajit Andhare, the COO of Viacom18, said in an interview with PinkVilla that Akshay didn't only forgo his fees but also stood by the makers with respect to the financial and creative risks. He further reacted to reports of OMG 2 being made on a heavy budget. "The reports of the budget of OMG2 are grossly exaggerated. On the contrary, Akshay didn't charge a rupee in fee and in fact, walked alongside us in both the financial & creative risk involved in such a courageous film," Ajit said.
Talking about his professional association with Akshay, Ajit shared, "We share a long history & understanding with him as a Studio since OMG1, Special 26, and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and I have been totally in lockstep with him in taking up scripts that are unconventional but stand for something larger & meaningful. Without him this risk was impossible to take, he was fully invested both creatively & financially."
ALSO READ
From Allu Arjun to Shah Rukh Khan, stars who endorsed Thums Up
Taapsee Pannu explains why she wants to do films like 'Dunki' despite low pay
Manushi Chhillar: 'It took away pressure of doing a big film’
It's Official! Bhagam Bhag 2 will be madder, crazier, and funnier
Filmstars line up with commoners to cast vote in Maharashtra polls
According to the latest report, OMG 2 has been made on a budget of Rs 50 crore. The film is still successfully running in theatres and has earned Rs 85.05 crores in a week's time.
Directed by Amit Rai, OMG 2 stars Akshay as Lord Shiva's messenger whereas Pankaj is Kanti Sharan Mudgal, and Yami plays a lawyer named Kamini Maheshwari. The film also stars Pavan Raj Malhotra, Govind Namdev, Aarush Varma, Arun Govil, and Brijendra Kala. OMG 2 released with Gadar 2 at the box office on August 11. Despite the clash with the Sunny Deol starrer, the spiritual sequel of OMG 2 made it to the 100-crore club globally in a week.
OMG 2 came under the CBFC's scanner as the film showed Akshay as Mahadev. It was later modified to 'messenger of God'. The censorship board also requested the makers to make 25 modifications to the film to avoid further controversies.
