Mumbai, March 23 (IANS): Actor Akshay Kumar, who will be seen in "Gabbar Is Back", on Monday said the film was not the sequel of "Sholay", and Gabbar was not the villain but the hero in this movie.

"This Gabbar is different... that Gabbar was the villain and this Gabbar is the hero. This film has nothing to do with that film, this film is not 'Sholay 2'. Both the characters are different," Akshay told reporters during the trailer launch of "Gabbar Is Back".

Directed by famous southern director Krish and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, "Gabbar Is Back" features Akshay Kumar and Shruti Haasan, and is slated to release on May 1.

"Gabbar Is Back" is a remake of 2002 Tamil film 'Ramanaa'.

Akshay will be seen as a vigilante, a righteous man and an enemy of the corrupt.

Asked how did he prepare himself for this role, Akshay said: "I don't prepare for my character. I just follow my director's vision because he knows the best as he knows the script very well.

"I follow the director. If I listen to too many people, and give him my vision, that will create confusion. I have always believed that a film is one person's vision and not many people's visions. I always believe in being a director's actor."

Shruti Haasan said Akshay was one of her favourite co-stars.

"My role is important and very different in this film and it was great working with Akshay and he is one of my favourite co-stars," Shruti said.