Looks like it’s the season of remakes now — be it Bollywood or regional films. Close on the heels of Billa and Thillu Mullu comes the remake of yesteryear Hindi hit Ek Duje Keliye , by veteran director K. Balachander. A Hindi producer is all set to join hands with a Tamil producer for the project to be released in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Incidentally, Kamal Haasan who played the lead in the original had wanted to make the film’s sequel himself. Rati Agnihotri who played the female lead wanted the film to be remade with her son Tanuj Virwani in the lead. Maro Charithra, the Telugu version of the film ran for over a year in Madras.
Together again
Director Venkat Prabhu’s next film is named after the popular dish Biriyani . Which perhaps has inspired Venkat’s associate Saravana Rajan — he is to call his film Vadacurry ! The pair from the sleeper hit Subramaniapuram — Jai and Swathi — come together for this film. The rom-com is to be produced by Dayanidhi Alagiri’s Meeka Entertainment, with music by ‘Kolaveri’ boy Anirudh.
The South connect
Actor John Abraham was in the city recently to promote his upcoming film Madras Café directed by Shoojit Sircar. So, can we see him in South Indian films? “If I get the right script, why not? I’m half Keralite myself, and have wanted to act in Malayalam films alongside the likes of Mohanlal, Mammootty and Dileep. And, considering that some of the best films come from this side of the country, why should I not do Tamil films? I may not be able to speak the language, but I’m ready to do a film if I get the right opportunity,” said the actor.
Off to Malaysia
Actor-director Chinni Jayanth is going places. He was recently in Malaysia to act in a Malaysian film. “I was happy to be approached for the film Gol . It is a cross-over film with both Tamil and Malaysian actors. I play a couch in the film! Actors Vyapuri, Singamuthu and Irfan too are part of the cast. The film’s over and the post production work is on. It will have a world-wide release next month. In Tamil Nadu, it will have subtitles for lines in Malay. The story is about foot ball, which is referred to as ‘foot stall’,” says Chinni Jayanth.
