Ashwin Varde calls Paresh Rawal’s claims about OMG 2 ‘baseless’ and calls the actor’s attempt to make the film without Akshay Kumar ‘unethical’
The controversy surrounding ‘OMG 2’ has taken a dramatic turn after producer Ashwin Varde responded to Paresh Rawal’s recent allegations. Days after the veteran actor claimed that the idea behind Akshay Kumar’s film was his and that he was being denied due credit, Varde issued a detailed statement, rejecting the accusations and alleging that Rawal tried to make a version of the film without Akshay Kumar’s participation.
The producer rejects Paresh Rawal’s claims
In an interview with Pinkvilla, Ashwin Varde described Paresh Rawal’s claims as “shocking” and “baseless”, saying he felt compelled to give his side of the story. “The accusations made by Paresh Rawal in a recent podcast related to ‘OMG 2’ are shocking, untrue and baseless. These allegations leave me no choice but to set the record straight publicly. I would like to share my version of the ‘OMG 2’ journey, as it actually happened,” Vardy said.
How did the script reach Ashwin Varde?
The producer revealed that it was actor Pavan Malhotra who introduced him to the writer-director
Amit Ray
. Although they initially met to discuss another project, Amit later told a story that immediately reminded Vardy of ‘OMG’. According to Fard, Amit revealed that Paresh Rawal encouraged him to write the script in a narrative style similar to ‘OMG’.“When I first heard it, my immediate reaction was that this theme is just like the ‘OMG’ format.
Then Amit told me that he wrote it in the ‘OMG’ format because Paresh Rawal asked him to stay as close to ‘OMG’ as possible in terms of narrative.”Ashwin claimed that Amit Rai initially expressed concerns about the intellectual property rights associated with ‘OMG’, but Paresh Rawal allegedly assured him that there was nothing to worry about. The producer also claimed that the actor wanted to move forward without involving Akshay Kumar, despite the franchise being closely associated with him.“That’s when it became clear to me what Parrish was trying to do. He was trying to create a version of ‘OMG’ under a different name, which was unethical and unprofessional. He was trying to steal someone else’s creations and property, and use them under the guise. To me, this is nothing less than theft,” Vardy alleged.
Why did other actors reportedly reject the film?
Referring to Paresh Rawal’s statement that several actors had rejected the project, Varde claimed that there was a reason behind the rejection.“Paresh says in his podcast that he approached several actors about this script and they all turned it down. He forgot to mention why they all turned him down. They did it because they all told him, ‘This is ‘OMG’ and this is an Akshay Kumar film. Why should we handle something of his? Or go and get his approval, as they all said.”Ashwin added that his production company eventually acquired Amit Rai’s script, which remains officially registered in the director’s name.
Paresh Rawal has been approached for a role, says Varde
Despite the differences, Farde said Paresh Rawal remained the first choice for an important role in OMG 2. He revealed that several meetings were held with the actor, including discussions at the Willingdon Club, Mangii Ferra and Soho House in Mumbai. According to Fard, Rawal informed that the script will be offered to Akshay Kumar first as it is very similar to the film ‘OMG’.“I told him that I would have to take this script first to Akshay Kumar as this is too much like an ‘OMG’ film and it would be unethical on my part not to do so.
I was shocked to see his reaction. He kept repeating that this movie couldn’t be ‘Oh my God’ without giving any plausible reason.”Varde claimed that it eventually became clear that Rawal did not want Akshay Kumar to be associated with the project.The producer also rejected Paresh Rawal’s claim that he deserves credit in the story. According to Vard, Amit Rai remains the sole writer of OMG 2, and Rawal’s involvement has been limited to acting.
He also claimed that the actor was offered the film, the agreement was exchanged, and he was also compensated as per the contract.Vardi emphasized: “Throughout this journey, I repeat that Barış’s participation in the film was purely as an actor and not anything else.”
Ashwin Varde’s latest response
Concluding his statement, the producer insisted that no one tried to deprive Paresh Rawal of credit or appreciation. “I would like to state again that no one has tried to deceive Paresh Rawal about anything. The only thing we are guilty of is preventing him from doing the same,” Vardy said.
