Mumbai: After Paresh Rawal recently claimed that ‘OMG 2’ was based on his concept but that he did not receive credit for it, producer Ashwin Varde has made a fresh revelation about the film.
Varde alleged that Rawal had attempted to keep Akshay Kumar from being part of the sequel, but the makers intervened and stopped him from doing so.
Rejecting Rawal’s claims, Varde described the allegations as “shocking, untrue and unsubstantiated” and said they prompted him to publicly explain the origins of ‘OMG 2’.
Varde shared that actor Pavan Malhotra introduced him to writer-director Amit Rai.
While the two initially met to discuss a different project, Rai later narrated the idea that eventually became ‘OMG 2’.
According to Varde, the concept immediately reminded him of ‘OMG’.
He alleged that Rai had developed the story along similar lines after Rawal asked him to retain the narrative style of the original film.
However, Varde said the issue of franchise rights raised concerns for him.
“OMG cannot be made without Akshay Kumar or his approval, since I was aware that the IP rights of the film belonged to him,” the producer said.
Varde further alleged that Rawal had told Rai that he owned the intellectual property.
He also accused the actor of attempting to develop an unauthorised version of the film, saying, “He was trying to make a version of OMG under a different name, which is unethical and unprofessional.”
According to Varde, several actors who were approached with the screenplay turned down the project after noticing its similarities to ‘OMG’.
“They all told him, ‘This is OMG and that is Akshay Kumar’s film. Why should we tread into something that belongs to him?’” he said.
Varde said his company, Wakaoo Films, later acquired the screenplay, while emphasising that the script continues to be registered exclusively in Rai’s name.
“The script was and is still registered under the name of Amit Rai, who is the sole writer of the film,” he said.
Varde further said that Rawal never brought up the issue of a writing credit during their meetings, which he claimed were solely focused on discussing the actor’s potential casting.
He added that, in a later conversation, he informed Rawal that the script would first be presented to Akshay because of its similarities to ‘OMG’.
“I was shocked by his reaction,” Varde said, claiming that Rawal repeatedly argued that the project could not turn into another ‘OMG’.
Despite the disagreement, Varde alleged that Rawal was still the first actor approached for the film, with Akshay also reportedly making efforts to convince him to join the project.
Varde further claimed that Rawal received a producer credit through his wife, Swaroop Paresh Rawal, and business partner Hemal Thakkar, despite allegedly making “zero contribution” to the film.
He also said that the actor was paid the amount agreed upon.
“Nobody tried to cheat Paresh Rawal of anything. The only thing we are guilty of is stopping him from doing the same,” Varde concluded.