According to filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, the protagonist role that was done by Anil Kapoor in the 1987 hit “Mr. India”, can be repeated only by him. 

"Anil should definitely stay in the remake of 'Mr.India'. He has become synonymous with 'Mr.India' and the project would be incomplete without him," Kapur, who has been in discussions with Manmohan Shetty, Boney Kapoor and Anil for the film.

Even though Kapur has no intentions for directing the remake of this Bollywood film, he is lending his hand in giving shape to a new villain and a new story for the film. 

But, he doubts if the producers will ever be able to find an actor who could match the impression left by late Amrish Puri as the crude villain Mogambo. 

"I wonder if anyone would find a Mogambo as exciting as Amrish Puri. His performance was outstanding - it's very difficult to replace him and wash out memories of the original Mogambo because he was ultimate in that role," he said. 

Kapur has carved a niche for himself in the showbiz with distinct films like "Bandit Queen" and "Masoom" as well as "Mr. India" and has earned international recognition with "The Four Feathers", "Elizabeth" and its sequel "Elizabeth: The Golden Age". 

But directing a Bollywood potboiler complete with song and dance is the last thing he will think now.  

"Bollywood films have got better and better over the years. But I don't think I am the best director to make a typical Bollywood entertainer. My sensibilities as a director differ from a lot of them here," he said. 

"I never work with stars. When I worked with Anil Kapoor in 'Mr.India', he was no star. Same with Naseeruddin Shah in 'Masoom' and with Heath Ledger in 'The Four Feathers'. People hardly knew Heath back then - so for me stars don't matter as much as an actor's suitability to a role in my films," he explained. 

His much-awaited "Paani", which he is making in collaboration with Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle, is currently in the final stage. His plans for directing the third installment of "Elizabeth", based on the life 
of Queen Elizabeth I of England, are on hold. 

"I've always said the third part of my 'Elizabeth' series would be about the time just before she died. And right now Cate Blanchett, who has played the role in both the films, is too young to portray an old lady. So we will have to wait and see when the third 'Elizabeth' happens," he said.

Currently Kapur is judging the TV reality show "India's Got Talent" on Colors.