'Airlift' Actor Akshay Kumar Replaces Saif Ali Khan In Bollywood Adaptation Of 'Chef'?

Airlift actor and Bollywood action star Akshay Kumar seems to have a busy year. Not just 2016, he will also be keeping busy next year with his back-to-back releases. New reports state that he has been roped in to play the lead in Bollywood adaptation of Chef, a role which was first offered to Saif Ali Khan.

According to a report in DNA India, Kumar has now replaced Nawab of Pataudi to star in the remake of Jon Favreau-directed Chef. The film, which orignally starred Favreau as the protagonist, narrated the story of a professional chef at a high-flying LA restaurant, who quits and goes on to launch a food truck.

The heartwarming tale was critically acclaimed when it released in 2014. It also had Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johannson, Sofia Vergera and veteran actor Dustin Hoffman in key roles. Reports also state that Kumar has yet to sign the Indian remake but is still in talks with the makers.

It was earlier reported by Variety Magazine that the film will star popular Indian actor Khan in Favreau's role. Vikram Malhotra, from Abundantia Entertainment, acquired the rights from Favreau's Fairview Entertainment. The Indian version of the film will adapt the storyline from the original movie while also maintaining the Indian touch.

Kumar, who has had a successful run at the box office in the last few years with his action-oriented and close-to-reality movies, has become one of the most bankable stars of tinsel town now. With his films going on to become superhits, he is keeping all the more occupied with his projects.

After Airlift, Kumar will have Rustom on the anvil, the shooting of which has already begun. The first look of the film sees him playing a navy officer, looking smash in an Indian naval uniform. He also has Shankar's Robot 2 with South superstar Rajinikanth and Amy Jackson.

If the deal is sealed with the makers of Bollywood adaptation of Chef, then it will best left for the audiences to see the star donning the hat of a chef, who had been a cook in Bangkok, before making it big in the Indian entertainment industry.