'During the 'Indian' shoot in 1996, Kamal (Haasan) sir asked me to plan a sequel', says ‘Indian 2’ director Shankar

At the event, Kamal Haasan also gave a fiery speech and said, “I am a Tamilian and an Indian; that’s my identity, and yours too. That’s the concept behind the sequels."

A star-studded audio launch of 'Indian 2' took place in Chennai on Saturday. Superstar Kamal Haasan, along with the film's lead actresses Rakul Preet Singh, Kajal Agarwal, director S Shankar, and many others, were seen at the grand launch event.

During the audio launch, director Shankar recalled the time when, during the shoot of his first 'Indian' in 1996, Kamal Haasan had asked him to direct the sequel too.

“While shooting for Indian, Kamal Haasan sir asked me to plan a sequel. But I didn’t have a proper script back then. After many years, I decided to write ‘Indian 2’ script after reading news about corruption in newspapers," he told the gathering.

Shankar then further said that the project was on hold as both he and Kamal Haasan were busy.

"But the project didn’t move forward as Kamal sir and I were busy with other projects. I wrote the Indian 2 script after 2.0. That’s how Indian 2 began. On the first day of the shoot, I was shell-shocked upon watching Kamal sir in Senapathy get up," said Kamal.

Shankar said he is confident that the sequel will be a hit.

At the event, Kamal Haasan also gave a fiery speech and said, “I am a Tamilian and an Indian; that’s my identity, and yours too. That’s the concept behind the sequels. Divide and rule is a British concept. It worked back then because they had a home to go back to. It will no longer work. I wonder where those trying to do the same today would go.”

Kamal further said that he wanted to see a Tamilian 'rule the country.' He said, “Yathum oore, yavarum kelir. (Every city is your city; everyone is your kin.) We are known for giving lives to those who have come to our state. Why shouldn’t there be a day when a Tamilian rules the country? This is my country, and we must safeguard the unity within it.”

The movie is being produced by Lyca Productions and Red Giant Movies. Indian 2 will be released on July 12.