Dostana 2 will release as per schedule: Karan Johar

The shooting of John Abraham-Abhishek Bachchan starrer gay comedy Dostana 2 has been pushed for next year but producer Karan Johar is confident that they will be able to release the film as per schedule.

The sequel, about two young men pretending to be gays, was originally scheduled to go on floors this year but they had to postpone it as director Tarun Mansukhani was not happy with the script.

"We were aiming for Dostana 2 to release in the second half of 2011. But I am sure that we would meet our original deadline. Its just that we all would now have to work extra hard to get the post production in place in time after wrapping up the shooting part," Johar said.

Johar, who released three of his films this year My Name Is Khan, I Hate Luv Storys and We Are Family, says he did not want to compromise on the story and hence decided to take the risk of rescheduling the shooting.

"There are huge expectations from the film. This is why we decided to hold on for a while before rushing through the proceedings. It was Tarun who came to me and requested some more time to spend on script before hitting the sets. He wasn't entirely happy with about 15 minutes of the film and wanted to refine it further," Johar said.

The producer had already locked the dates of his main actors and had even made the announcement and the delay means added cost to Johar, who would soon begin shooting Kareena Kapoor and Imraan Khan starrer Short Term Shaadi.

The new schedule will also mean a major reshuffle in the date diaries of Abhishek, John and Katrina Kaif but Johar says the actors are ready to adjust.

"My actors are staying along with the film. They are using this interim period to do other films. I don't think that moving ahead of Dostana 2 has caused pain to any of them."

Meanwhile, what happens to his other dream production, the remake of Agneepath. There is still mystery around the new face, who would play Vijay Deenanath Chauhan, originally essayed by Amitabh Bachchan. "The script is ready but since we are still in the process of approaching talent," Johar said.