Aditya Chopra of Bollywood production house Yash Raj Films, which churned out the hugely successful Dhoom and Dhoom 2, has reportedly approached King Khan to play the role of a villain in Dhoom 3 opposite Abhishek Bachchan.
In Dhoom and Dhoom 2, the role of the villain was essayed with such finesse by John Abraham and Hrithik Roshan that they overshadowed Abhishek, who played the hero's role (super cop Asst. Commissioner of Police Jai Dixit) in both the installments.
According to the grapevine, Shah Rukh has read the basic script of Dhoom 3 and loved the character of the villain. However, it remains to be seen whether SRK will actually sign on the dotted lines, as his cold relation with the Bachchan khandan is yet to thaw and he already has a packed schedule with at least three movies lined up for the year 2010 - one is Don 2 by Farhan Akhtar, another is his home production, a sci-fi superhero flick, and the third is Farah Khan's Happy New Year.
"Shah Rukh has hardly said no to Yash Raj banner in the past as the two go back a long way...since the times of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mohabbatein and Veer Zaara. In recent times, Shah Rukh has also delivered hits like Chak De! India and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi for Yash Raj. If the Baadshah says yes to Yash Raj again, it is certain that Dhoom 3 will be a bigger hit than its predecessors," a source close to the development said.
"Due to the recession and the ongoing producers' strike, Yash Raj is having a difficult time lately. Some of the movies under its banner, such as Ta Ra Rum Pum, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Aaja Nachle, Tashan and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, also did not fare well. However, Shah Rukh can turn their fortune around. He is their key to revival, their quick-fix solution and they know that," the source said.
Earlier, Bollywood was abuzz with the news that Saif Ali Khan has signed the dotted line for the same role. However, it turned out t be just a rumor.
It is not known who will act alongside Abhishek Bachchan in Dhoom 3. But it is certain that it will not be the dusky siren Bipasha Basu as she has been dropped from Dhoom 3.
Also, it is not yet clear who will direct the film. Sanjay Gadhvi, who directed the first two films in the series, has moved out of the Yash Raj camp.
As for Shah Rukh, who is currently shooting for Karan Johar's upcoming flick My Name is Khan, if at all he plays the role of the villain in Dhoom 3, it will not be the first time. In the past, he has played the role of anti-hero to perfection in Darr, Baazigar, Anjaam and Don and playing the role of a villain again in Dhoom 3 will be a cakewalk for him.No doubt Bollywood's best-known production house is knocking at his door and will not take "no" for an answer.