America America, the cult classic Kannada relationship drama, is getting a spiritual sequel. Almost 30 years after the original, which starred Ramesh Aravind, Akshay Anand, and Hema Panchamukhi, director Nagathihalli Chandrashekar is aiming to recreate the magic.

“This is not the continuation of America America. The movie will have a fresh story,” said the director during a press conference, indicating that America America 2 is a spiritual successor of the first part. Nirup Bhandari, Pruthvi Ambaar, and Shanvi Srivastava play the leads in the upcoming movie.

AmericaAmerica 2 is based on a novel by Sahana Vijaykumar. “While promoting a movie, a lot of filmmakers emphasise their stories being new. I believe that every story is born from the influence of old stories we have seen and read.”

Mano Murthy returns as the music composer for the movie, while SK Rao is the cinematographer. Sri Crazy Minds is the editor. The filming of the movie has been completed.

ALSO READ: ‘666: Operation Dream Theatre’ teaser: Hemanth Rao promises a slick retro spy thriller with Shivarajkumar and Dhananjaya

Mostly shot in San Francisco, America America was the first Kannada movie to be released in the US when it hit the screens in 1997. Apart from an intense love triangle, the movie also showcased Indians’ pursuit of the American Dream, at the cost of emotional isolation.

“I jumped into the project as soon as I heard the title,” said Nirup Bhandari. “I remember watching America America in theatres 30 years ago and being mesmerised by it.” America America was a blockbuster. The movie ran for 365 days at many centres in Karnataka.