Actor Paresh Rawal has made a surprising claim about Akshay Kumar’s OMG 2, revealing that the critically acclaimed 2023 film was originally based on an idea he developed years before its release. Speaking in a recent interview, Rawal alleged that he worked extensively on the film’s initial concept with director Amit Rai, but was ultimately not credited when the project evolved into the sequel that reached theatres.
The veteran actor also explained why he decided against appearing in OMG 2, despite Akshay Kumar personally approaching him. According to Rawal, the final version differed so much from his original vision that he no longer recognised the story he had helped shape.
Paresh Rawal says he developed the original concept
During a conversation with Vickey Lalwani, Paresh Rawal recalled approaching filmmaker Amit Rai, known for directing Road to Sangam, with an idea for a socially relevant film. He clarified that while he is not a screenwriter, he actively contributed to the story’s development and worked closely with Rai throughout the creative process.
Rawal said the original story revolved around a schoolboy who is caught masturbating, after which a video of the incident goes viral and turns his life upside down. According to him, the boy’s father was initially envisioned as a tourist guide at the Khajuraho temples before Amit Rai suggested making him a part-time priest at the Mahakal Temple. The actor added that sexologist Dr. Prakash Kothari also joined the discussions as the screenplay evolved.
He further revealed that they pitched the project to filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and later to Somen Mishra from Dharma Productions. However, the idea was reportedly rejected at the time, with Mishra allegedly believing the subject would not work commercially.
Why Paresh Rawal walked away from OMG 2
Rawal said his original vision never included a divine character guiding the protagonist. Instead, he had imagined a biker playing that role and had even approached Ajay Devgn and Salman Khan for the part. He deliberately stayed away from Akshay Kumar because he did not want audiences to see the project as a sequel to OMG! Oh My God, which released in 2012.
According to the actor, things changed when Amit Rai informed him that Akshay Kumar was interested in the script. Rawal believes the screenplay reached Akshay through producer Ashwin Varde, after which the project gradually transformed into what eventually became OMG 2.
Explaining why he declined the offer to appear in the film, Paresh said, “I spoke to Akshay. He asked me to do the film. I told him, ‘No. This isn’t the film I had envisioned. There is no role of God in this story.’ He tried to convince me, but I had lived with the script from the beginning. I knew exactly what it was supposed to be. That’s why I walked away.”
Paresh claims he never received credit
The veteran actor also expressed disappointment over not receiving any acknowledgement for his contribution to the film’s early development. He claimed that despite originating the concept and helping shape the story, his name was missing from the final credits.
Rawal stated, “The saddest part is that I wasn’t even given credit for the story or the concept. My name wasn’t mentioned anywhere. Amit, Akshay, Ashwin, Ajay Devgn, Karan Johar and Salman Khan… all know it was my idea and my story. Ajay and Salman probably said no because of the subject. They thought it could become controversial. I tried explaining the concept to them.”
Released in 2023, OMG 2 starred Akshay Kumar as Shiv ka Doot and Pankaj Tripathi as the father at the centre of the story. The film received widespread critical appreciation for tackling the subject of sex education and also emerged as a commercial success at the box office. Paresh Rawal’s recent claims have now sparked fresh conversations about the film’s origins and the creative journey that led to its final version.
