Filmmaker Karan Johar is releasing the first theatrical trailor of Agneepath along with actor Salman Khan’s big Eid release, Bodyguard. The filmmaker says that this decision was taken to ensure maximum visibility for the first theatrical promo of the film.

“I am glad that Reliance (Pictures) allowed me to attach the promo of Agneepath along with Bodyguard. It’s their big Eid release and for me, getting the audience to notice Agneepath’s promo was very important. All my best wishes for the team of Bodyguard,” says an excited Karan. Since everybody is saying that Agneepath is a remake of the earlier 1990 hit, we asked Karan how similar the two films would be.

“It’s not a remake at all. The look, feel and the treatment of the two films are completely different. The two films have a different world of their own. I would rather call my film ‘a homage’ to the classic directed by Mukul S Anand. The film was produced by my father and I think that it is one of the best films ever made. That is exactly why we chose to make another film, which might be called an apt tribute to the earlier film. The heart and soul remains the same — it’s still a similar struggle between the protagonist and the antagonist. But it is a totally different film. I feel it has turned out to be a very good and engaging film,” adds Karan.

The filmmaker emphasises that the two films can never be compared in any way because the new Agneepath is just an adaptation of the earlier one. In the new Agneepath, the protagonist’s role is being played by actor Hrithik Roshan and Karan describes him as the “heart and soul” of the film.

“Everybody knows that Hrithik is very careful about the films that he signs. When he got the script of Agneepath, he was extremely kicked about the role. The role has been written with Hrithik in mind and he has always been our only choice. I must tell you that he has really done a great job and I am sure he is as satisfied as I am with the work that he has put in,” he adds.

Actor Sanjay Dutt plays the main villain of the film and Karan says that there couldn’t have been a better choice. “You have to see Sanju in the movie to believe it. He has excelled in each and every frame. I promise you have never seen Sanjay Dutt like this. He is a treat to watch,” says Karan. The film will be releasing during January 2012 and the final date of its release will be announced soon.