Actor and Akshay Kumar seem to further seal their friendship with a new film deal

In an industry where relationships are said to be fickle, there are some in the contrary that actually overlook previous sour equations to explore newer pastures.

The fact that once-upon-a-time archrivals, Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar were ready to bury the hatchet became more obvious when Akki gladly gave away the title, Son Of Sardar to Ajay last year.

Now it is learnt that Kumar Mangat, an old associate of Ajay is co-producing Akshay's Special Chhabbis, perhaps at the behest of Ajay.

Incidentally, first it was Ajay who was roped in for Special Chhabbis. Back then Ekta Kapoor was producing the film. "However, due to prior commitments, Ajay opted out of it some time in the middle of 2011. After that, Ekta's production house too backed out of it, " reveals an industry source.

And now, another source informs us despite Ajay's opting out of the film, Kumar Mangat continued to be involved in it.

"Kumarji was keen to make the film with Neeraj Pandey (the director and producer), " says our informer, adding that Mangat happened to discuss it with Viacom 18, with whom he has a good equation, having delivered a hit in Pyaar Ka Punchnama last year.

Our source further adds, "On hearing Neeraj's script, Viacom 18 decided to back it and produce it with Kumarji and Neeraj. In fact, it was the corporate house that suggested Akshay's name as the leading man. Eventually, by November 2011, Akshay had signed up for it."

About the film

Reportedly, Special Chhabbis is based on a real-life daring heist of 1987 when an unknown man posing as CBI officer Mon Singh recruited 26 men and executed a daylight raid on the Opera House branch of a well-known jeweller in Mumbai and disappeared with jewellery worth lakhs.