Akshay Kumar not playing Dawood Ibrahim in `Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again'

Akshay Kumar has refuted rumours that his role in OUATIMA is based on Dawood Ibrahim.

Mumbai: Refuting rumours that his role in `Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Again` is based on underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, actor Akshay Kumar says it is a fictional story and a character.

"It is not based on any such character. I play this character of Shoaib who is a underworld don, it is a fictional thing. It is not related to anyone in real. It is continuation of part one," Akshay said at an event here. "I had seen Shoaib`s character in first part and I did carry the character forward," he said. In the first part, Emraan Hashmi had portrayed the role of Shoaib, which got him rave reviews. "I did not think of comparison. We do films because we like the script. I don`t know about comparison and all as I feel we are not in rat race," Akshay said. In `Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Again`, Akshay will be playing a villain of sorts and is quite happy about it. "I have enjoyed doing this role. I am thankful to my director Milan Luthria to give me something great, as I never got the chance to perform a role like this. To play a villain is a good thing. There is a different charm on your face," Akshay said. "A hero is innocent, poor and has problems with family. He also gets beaten up by villain while the villain is at the top. I loved playing the larger than life villain`s character. You get to play such characters rarely so you should not let go this opportunity," he said. `Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Again` is a sequel to the 2010 hit film. Besides Akshay, the sequel features Imran Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and Sonali Bendre. The film will release on Eid--August 8. PTI