Neerraj Pathak’s Apne 2 script touched us all, says director Anil Sharma

The sequel to the 2007 film Apne was recently announced. The makers have now revealed that the writer of the first film, Neerraj Pathak, is on board for Apne 2 as well. 

Director Anil Sharma said that he chose Pathak’s script from a dozen others. “I had been looking out for the perfect script. I had received around 10-12 story ideas, but Neerraj, who wrote Apne for us, came up with this fantastic script which touched all of us,” he said in an official statement. 

Apne starred Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, and the sequel will see the three of them reunite along with Sunny’s son Karan Deol. 

Sharma believes that Pathak’understands the soul of the film. “Though Apne 2 is a completely new story, Neerraj’s writing will help us retain the same emotions and sanctity attached to Apne. The essence of the characters is in his blood. I’m happy to be working with Neerraj Pathak once again on Apne 2,” he added. 

Pathak had asked Sharma to hire another writer for the sequel because he had contracted the coronavirus. “It was a huge struggle for him. When he got diagnosed with COVID-19, Neerraj called me. He was so professional that he didn’t want this to affect the progress of the movie and asked me to hire another writer to work on Apne 2 if I wanted,” said Sharma. 

But the director stood firm on his decision. “We were sure that we wanted him only, kyunki apne toh apne hote hai [referring to a catchphrase from the film]. He himself fought like a fighter, a boxer, and recovered,” he said. 

Pathak said it was an honour to reunite with the Apne director and cast. “I have had a fantastic association with Anil Sharma ji in Apne. Deepak [Mukut] ji [producer] and I go back a long way, as he was my first producer and I am happy to be associated with him again. It’s an honour to be writing for the Deols again, and Karan Deol is joining the cast. I am thrilled and excited to give it my best,” he said.

Apne 2 is scheduled to be released during Diwali next year.