Rani Mukerji to join Akshay Kumar in ‘OMG 3’; film to highlight women-related issue
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Mumbai (PTI): Actors Akshay Kumar and Rani Mukerji are set to collaborate for the first time for the third part of the popular franchise film, “Oh My God”.Two films have been made in the “OMG” franchise and both the movies, featuring Kumar in the role of god, have been well-received by critics and audiences for blending social message in an entertaining way.
“We’ve already started work on the third part of ‘OMG’. The USP of ‘OMG’ is the socially relevant topic that we highlight and this time around we’ve picked up an important and hard hitting topic, which is the need of the hour. The social issue this time is pertaining to women,” an insider told PTI.
Speaking about the casting of the film, the insider revealed the makers have cast Mukerji as she is apt choice for the third part of "OMG", which will be helmed by Amit Rai.
“We’ve already had discussions with Akshay and Rani. The script demanded someone like Rani and hence she has been cast. It is not a cameo appearance. It is through her character that an important issue about women will be talked about. She will surprise the audiences with her role. It will be a treat for the fans of 90s cinema to see these two actors together,” the insider said.
The franchise started with 2012 “Oh My God” with Paresh Rawal and Akshay Kumar. It revolved around atheist Kanji Mehta's (Rawal) legal battle against God after his shop gets destroyed due to an earthquake. The film, directed by Umesh Shukla, talked about themes like religious exploitation and commercialisation of spirituality.
The makers followed it up with a sequel, titled “Oh My God 2” in 2023. Billed as a spiritual sequel, the film featured Pankaj Tripathi as a devotee of Lord Shiva named Kanti Sharan Mudgal and Akshay Kumar as a messenger of God, and touched upon various issues of teenagers and the importance of sex education. The second part was directed by Amit Rai.
According to the insider, “OMG 3” will go on floors in the first quarter of 2026.
In addition to this, Rani will be seen in “Mardaani 3” and Kumar has quite a few releases, including director Priyadarshan’s “Bhooth Bangla” and “Haiwaan”, and the ensemble comedy film, “Welcome to Jungle”.
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Ballari clash: Sriramulu, Janardhana Reddy hold press meet; statue unveiling postponed
Ballari: Former minister B Sriramulu and Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy addressed a joint press conference on Friday, a day after a violent clash broke out between rival Reddy groups over the installation of banners ahead of the Valmiki statue unveiling programme in the city.
Speaking to reporters, Sriramulu said the death of Rajasekhar Reddy, who was killed by a gunshot during the clash, was painful. He said he and his party would stand by the victim’s family and extend support to them. Alleging that Ballari MLA Nara Bharath Reddy was responsible for the incident, Sriramulu demanded legal action against him and called for a thorough probe to establish whose bullet caused Rajasekhar Reddy’s death.
Sriramulu further alleged that the clash was premeditated, claiming that a group had come near their residence with petrol-filled beer bottles and stones, allegedly with the intention of attacking them. He also alleged that there was an attempt to assault Janardhana Reddy.
Janardhana Reddy, addressing the media, said the incident had made him fear for his life. He alleged that there was an attempt to kill him and held Bharath Reddy responsible for the violence. Former minister Somasekhar Reddy, BJP Ballari district leaders and party workers were also present at the press meet.
The clash occurred on Thursday night in the Havambhavi area when rival groups confronted each other over putting up banners for the Valmiki statue unveiling scheduled for January 3. During the violence, a Congress worker was shot dead. Police have registered four separate cases in connection with the incident, including one taken up suo motu.
Responding to the allegations, Ballari MLA Bharath Reddy said the party was mourning the loss of its worker, Rajasekhar Reddy, whom he described as a close associate. He accused Janardhana Reddy of trying to divert attention from illegal mining issues and said the death had cast a shadow over the planned celebrations. He announced that the Valmiki statue unveiling programme had been postponed due to the prevailing atmosphere of grief.
Meanwhile, Ballari Rural MLA B Nagendra confirmed that the statue unveiling event had been temporarily deferred following the clash and on the advice of the Chief Minister. He said the programme would be held on a later date under the leadership of the Chief Minister and senior ministers. Nagendra also criticised Janardhana Reddy, saying there was no place for what he described as a “Republic of Ballari” mindset under the present administration, and asserted that the government would not allow any form of intimidation or lawlessness.
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