Anil Kapoor acquires ‘Nayak’ copyrights, hints at possible sequel

Actor Anil Kapoor has reportedly acquired the rights to his 2001 political drama "Nayak", fuelling speculation about a possible sequel nearly 25 years after the film's release.

According to media reports, the rights were previously held by producer Deepak Mukut, best known for "Sanam Teri Kasam". Kapoor is said to have bought the copyrights from Mukut and intends to retain them, as the film holds personal significance for him. Sources suggest the actor is also keen on producing a follow-up, believing the story still has strong scope for expansion.

A source was quoted as saying that Kapoor is well aware of the enduring popularity "Nayak" has gained over the years and feels its subject matter lends itself naturally to a second instalment. However, no official confirmation has been made regarding "Nayak 2" at this stage.

Originally produced by A S Rathnam, Nayak followed the story of a fearless journalist who becomes the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for a single day and attempts to introduce sweeping reforms within a corrupt system. Although the film received mixed reviews upon its release, it gradually struck a chord with audiences and went on to achieve cult status.

Directed by Shankar, the film was the Hindi remake of his 1999 Tamil hit "Mudhalvan". Alongside Kapoor, the cast included Rani Mukerji, with notable performances by the late Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal, Saurabh Shukla, Johny Lever, Shivaji Satam and Neena Kulkarni. Pooja Batra made a cameo appearance, while Sushmita Sen featured in a special song.

The film's central theme—an ordinary citizen taking on corruption and systemic failure—continues to resonate, which is believed to be a key factor behind Kapoor's interest in revisiting the story. While the sequel remains at a conceptual stage, any future instalment is expected to engage with contemporary political realities rather than rely solely on nostalgia.

For now, audiences will have to wait for an official announcement, though the prospect of "Nayak" returning to the big screen has already generated considerable interest.