Salman Khan's ambitious plans to bring all the three Khan brothers together in a modernized remake of Manmohan Desai's Amar Akbar Anthony has fallen through.

While most other problems of remaking such a popular film could be surmounted, the one hurdle that no one could find a way out of was to make Salman step into the Big B's shoes without looking presumptuous.

The Khans and David Dhawan had planned to cast Arbaaz, Sohail and Salman as Amar (played originally by Vinod Khanna), Akbar (played by Rishi Kapoor in Desai's film) and Anthony (played by the Big B). While re-casting the first two actors was a breeze, getting Salman to do the Big B's role proved impossible.

Apparently, Salman himself begged off from the huge responsibility. Admitting that the remake of Amar Akbar Anthony is now a dead project, David says, "It was just impossible to do it again. Can you imagine anyone else except Mr. Bachchan as Anthony Gonsalves? It's role he has made his own for as long as time exists."

With Amar Akbar Anthony shelved, the sequel to the 2007 blockbuster Partner is now being revived by the Khans in right earnestness. A story idea has finally been cracked and Partner 2 is to go on the floors early next year in lieu of Amar Akbar Anthony.

Dhawan admits Partner 2 is on the way, "We've got an idea and we're developing it. While the core cast of Salman and Govinda will remain all the other actors will change."

Blame it on Team India’s swashbuckling skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Apparently, Rs 30 crore is riding on David Dhawan’s Hook Ya Crook. Only the climax remains to be shot of this John Abraham film. And, for a change, it’s not the film’s hero but the hero of the cricketing world who’s reportedly causing the delay.

According to sources, a 20-minute shot featuring a cricket match between India and South Africa remains to be canned. It was to be done last year, but recession bled the film’s production house to the tune of Rs. 100 crore on various other projects, and what with one thing or the other... the expensive climax of Hook Ya Crook got put off.

Now, Dhawan cannot get Dhoni’s dates. It’s bad enough trying to get the two teams together. But what can the poor man do, this cricket finale has to be done, it’s the core interest of the plot. And while everybody is ready, MSD apparently is unavailable for the time being.

Meanwhile, John’s loss is Salman Khan’s gain. Keeping aside Hook Ya Crook, Dhawan has picked up the long-delayed sequel to his 2007 hit Partner for Salman Khan’s production house. Salman and Govinda remain the main leads but Katrina Kaif and Lara Dutta are no more part of the franchise. Salman’s Veer co-star Zarine Khan will be one of the heroines of Partner 2. The other one is not yet known.

Salman Khan, David Dhawan and Sajid Nadiadwala get ready to make Judwaa 2. Kareena Kapoor might play one of the lead actresses.

Bollywood Superstar Salman Khan is finally ready to play the quirky Raja and the sober Prem in the sequel to his 1997 hit Judwaa. The actor has given his nod to team up once again with director David Dhawan and producer Sajid Nadiadwala for the sequel to the twin-comedy only after he was completely convinced with the script.

So far the idea of a sequel to Judwaa had been quelled mainly because the story ideas did not appeal to Salman. Now, David has finally come up with an idea that the team feels is worth pursuing.

Producer Sajid says, “We’ve been going back and forth with David on the story of Judwaa’s sequel for years. Since Judwaa released there have been innumerable films about twins and their adventures, so films about twin heroes had become stale. Before making Judwaa 2 we first had to make sure the plot not only went further than the first Judwaa but also goes beyond all the other double-role films that have come lately.”

Fact of the matter is that double roles have not been doing well lately. Sajid says, “We’ve gone back to the story board repeatedly to ensure Judwaa has very high novelty value.”

“David is working on giving Salman’s character a special new spin. We’ll give the two Salmans a very different look and the story moves ten years ahead but Salman is still as boyish as he used to be,” adds Sajid.

Judwaa 2 won’t feature either Karisma Kapoor or Rambha who were lead actresses in the first film.

But yes, Kareena Kapoor is being considered to star in the sequel.

Salman Khan and David Dhawan, the successful actor-director team, is not in good terms as they used to be. It is a shame seeing the number of hits they’ve given together, like Biwi No 1, Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, Partner, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, etc.

Recently, Salman didn’t want David to direct producer Sajid Nadiadwala’s film, Sanki, which is the remake of South Indian film, Kick. This is because he is upset that David has not been giving thought to Partner 2, which Salman was very keen on. Instead, David has been working on Hook Ya Crook with John Abraham, whom Salman isn’t very fond of.

However, Sajid has denied this. He states that Salman doesn’t play any role in deciding who will direct the film. He has also denied any problems in his friendship with Salman and feels that such rumors are of bad taste. Meanwhile, Sajid is still in the scripting process of his film, which he recently acquired the rights. While he wants David to direct it, he hasn’t spoken to him yet.

David is unaware of Sajid's plans!