Double Dhamaal coming your way!

After the success of 2007's comedy Dhamaal, director Indra Kumar has decided to make a sequel. The new film, Double Dhamaal, was launched on the auspicious day of Janmashtami by Aamir Khan and Anil Kapoor, at Mumbai's Mehboob studio.

The film will star the original cast of Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, Riteish Deshmukh and Aashish Chaudhary with two additions: Kangna Ranaut and Mallika Sherawat. Mallika will play Dutt's wife whereas Kangna will play the sexy secretary, who tries to woo her boss.

Though Mallika returned to Mumbai last night after a long stint in the US, she did not attend the film's mahurat.

Indra Kumar, who has directed hit films like Dil (1990), Beta (1992) and Ishq (1997), celebrated 25 years of partnership with Ashok Thakeria of their production company, Maruti International.

Anil Kapoor and Aamir Khan were especially called for the event as both have a sentimental attachment to the production house. Kapoor made his debut with Mohabbat with Maruti International. He went on to give them a big hit in Beta, co-starring Dhak Dhak girl Madhuri Dixit.

Aamir, on the other hand, was part of Indra Kumar's directorial debut Dil, another big hit. He went on to star in another hit Ishq, and later, Mann.

Both actors got nostalgic at the function. "Anil and I have very fond memories working with Indra and Ashok," Aamir said. "As an actor, I have done three films with Indu. We wish them the very best. I am looking forward to a highly entertaining film (in Double Dhamaal)."

"Indra and Ashok are like my brothers," Kapoor said. "They are in the field since I started my career. I did my first film Mohabbat with them. The mahurat was here in Mehboob studios."

Not many may know that Aruna Irani is Indra Kumar's elder sister. She was called on stage, and the director acknowledged her contribution to his career.

"In the last 25 years, I had forgotten the lady behind my success. But today, I want to acknowledge her efforts in public," Kumar said.

Ashok Thakeria also spoke about the actress, and talked about how she had got Amitabh Bachchan to give the mahurat clap of Mohabbat.

When I saw Dhamaal for the first time, I had fun," Kangna said. "This film has a different set up. The men crack jokes on everyone, including girls. I have never worked with any of the actors in this film before, so it will be a new experience for me."

The actress will be trying her hand at comedy for the first time. "Comedy is a big challenge. To do that, you have to have a different approach and acting style. It will be very difficult for me," she said.