Filmmaker Anees Bazmee has started the promotion of his upcoming film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 with Kartik Aryan, Vidya Balan and Trupti Dimri. During a promotional event in Jaipur, the director spoke exclusively with India Today Digital about his other much-awaited project, No Entry 2. He shared information about the new cast and revealed that he is making efforts to bring back Anil Kapoor for the sequel.

Directed by Anees, The original film featured Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Celina Jaitley, Lara Dutta and Esha Deol are in lead roles. Almost a decade later, the director is expected to start shooting for the sequel.

“When I made No Entry, it started people recognizing me as a good director. No Entry is a film that is very close to my heart – a beautiful project that I have written with great care. From dialogues to emotions and characters, I prepared every aspect carefully. I adopted the same approach for No Entry 2 also. After narrating the script to my actors, their reaction was summed up in one word: ‘Extraordinary’,” said the director.

The sequel has 10 female actors along with Diljit Dosanjh, Arjun Kapoor and Varun Dhawan, whose search is still on. Amidst all the buzz surrounding the film, the director talked about Anil Kapoor’s absence from the film, which has left the actor disappointed. Anees also talked about the tension between brothers Anil and Boney Kapoor regarding this.

Addressing the rift between brothers Anil and Boney Kapoor, the actor shared, “I Really wish I could bring it back. I understand he’s upset, and rightfully so—No Entry was his movie, and he wasn’t just the lead actor; He also worked with me as a producer. It is natural for him to feel, ‘What happened this time?’ There were also rumors that Anil and Boney do not talk to each other, but they are brothers and their relationship is very deep. These misunderstandings may last for some time, but not forever. Honestly, the pain that Anil ji is going through is nothing compared to how sad I am that he will not be a part of the sequel. I am doing everything possible to bring him back, because No Entry is incomplete without him.

No Entry was not only a special film for its fans, but it also held deep significance for director Anees Bazmee. The Welcome filmmaker shared a memorable anecdote that explains why the film holds a special place in his heart.

“I remember very well that I narrated this script to Sridevi ji. Since Boney saab was the producer, he once told me, ‘Anees bhai, madam (Sridevi) wants to hear the script.’ Being a huge fan of his and have already worked with him in Laadla, I was thrilled. During the narration, coincidentally, my phone’s audio recording was on, and her laughter got recorded, and I wrote the script keeping that laughter in mind,” Bazmee signed off.

The Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 director confirmed that the film is expected to go on floors around February or March next year.

No Entry is believed to retain the same theme with three friends on an interesting adventure to find the love of their lives.