Anees Bazmee confirms that the sequel to his 2007 hit comedy Welcome would feature Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor along with John Abraham who contrary to reports does not replace Akshay Kumar. Explains Anees, "John Abraham is playing the lead in Welcome Back. He joins Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor who were part of the Welcome cast. But John is not stepping into Akshay Kumar's role, as reported. We've eliminated Akshay's part and created a new hero's role.

So John's role is completely new. As for Nana and Anil, they'll reprise the roles of Uday and Majnu." Apparently, producer Feroz Nadiadwala's fall-out with Akshay Kumar put Anees in a dilemma as he shares a warm rapport with the star. Initially, the plan was to bring in John to replace Akshay. But when Anees felt that Akshay would be affronted if replaced by another actor, the role was scrapped and an entirely new hero's track was written into the sequel Welcome Back. A far more irreplaceable character is that played by Feroz Khan.

In what turned out to be his last screen appearance the most stylish, Khan on the block had played a super-powerful underworld don named RDX in Welcome. We have it from reliable sources that Amitabh Bachchan replaces Feroz Khan in the Welcome series. Says Anees, "Feroz Bhai played the kind of imposing don whom even Nana and Anil bowed down to. Unfortunately for us, Feroz Bhai is no longer with us. I can only think of one actor who can play that role. And that's Bachchan Saab." The Big B's schedule is now being looked into. God and date-diary willing we'll see the Big B step into Feroz Khan's role.