Saif Ali Khan keen on doing RACE 2

The trend of sequels is catching up in Bollywood. Practically every second film that goes on to be successful at the box office is followed by an announcement of a sequel or next in the installment with the same set of characters and actors in the offering. This recently happened in case of ALL THE BEST too where the entire team is more or less convinced that this could well be turned into a franchise.
Ditto happened with one of the biggest money spinners of 2008 - RACE. When released earlier in the year, the film had turned out to be smash hit at the box office, hence turning out to be the biggest success ever for everyone associated with it. Saif Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif, director duo of Abbas-Mustan, producer Ramesh Taurani and composer Pritam - none of them had ever witnessed such huge response to a film of theirs. Naturally, everyone was quite ecstatic about the film making way for a sequel.
This is why within a week of the release of the film (in March 2008), Abbas (of Abbas Mustan duo) had gone on record to state - 'The ending of RACE has been purposefully left open. In fact Ramesh Taurani has been having discussions with us to see if we can develop the plot further and get a sequel in the running.'
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Apparently Saif Ali Khan - the central protagonist of RACE - is pretty much inclined to do RACE 2. After all the film showcased a different side of his persona and stays on to be one of his biggest hits ever along with home production LOVE AAJ KAL. However, he does want the film to begin soon now. He understand that audiences have short memories and wants RACE 2 to get on floors soon lest it looses its charm as a brand.
"I am game for the film and very excited to work in it. However, let Rameshji (Taurani) produce the script first. It is his intellectual property and as an actor, I can only consent to a film once the ground work is in place. Shiraz Ahmed, who had written RACE, is currently working on RACE 2 as well. After RACE, I was told about the basic idea around RACE 2. However, once Shiraz and Rameshji have something concrete to talk about, we will take things forward", says Saif who is currently busy in pre-production of his own home production AGENT VINOD, which is expected to go on floors in the first quarter of 2010.
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A few months back, there were also rumours making the round that Saif Ali Khan was quite interested in co-producing RACE 2 with Ramesh Taurani. Apparently, this would have added further value to the portfolio of 'Illuminati Films' which has made a smash beginning in Bollywood with LOVE AAJ KAL.
"I have no clue from where did these rumours begin. I am definitely not co-producing RACE 2", clarifies Saif while setting the records straight. He goes on to throw a shocker though. "Leave aside producing the film, I have not yet been signed for the film. As I said, the script comes first. Once that happens, right announcements would be made. Till then, it is mere speculation. I wish though that RACE 2 begins soon before people forget the franchise", he chuckles.