Bachchan to play Rajnikant's role in 'Chandramukhi'?
- IndiaGlitz, [Tuesday,October 04 2005]
When it comes to remaking the phenomenal hit from Tamil cinema, "Chandramukhi", in Hindi, the filmmakers can only think of Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role that Rajnikant played in the original.
The new Rajnikant fantasy "Chandramukhi" (no relation to the Salman Khan dud of the same name!) has already grossed over Rs.700 million across the southern state. And it is still rocking.
The film, originally made in Malayalam as "Manichitrathazhu" in 1993 and in Kannada as "Aapta Mitra" in 2003, was turned into a Tamil-Telugu money-spinner in 2004.
Now the coveted Hindi rights of "Chandramukhi" have gone to South's well-known ad maker Narren Aditya. A hefty sum of Rs.10 million exchanged hands between the producer Appachan, who owns copyrights for the original and Hyderabad's affluent production house Creative Commercials, before "Chandramukhi" was Narren Aditya's to film in Hindi.
And now Narren is stationed in Mumbai to finalize Bollywood's behemoth for the Hindi "Chandramukhi".
"It will have to be none other than Mr. Amitabh Bachchan," he told IANS.
"No one has the stature and superstardom to carry off a role of such immeasurable fantasy and flamboyance. I don't think I can make the Hindi 'Chandramukhi' unless Mr. Bachchan agrees to play the lead," said Narren who has so far only made ad films.
"I won't rest easy until Mr. Bachchan says yes."
"Now I'm suddenly making two films in Hindi. One is 'Chandramukhi'. And the other is an epic love story that I've named 'Saaz'. It is set during the Goan liberation movement. It's the story of a Goan boy, a Goan girl and a Portuguese officer."
Sahara is to produce the film.
Narren hasn't decided on the rest of the cast. But he has found the young actor whom he considers to be the best bet for the young Goan lover-boy. "The minute I saw Sammir Dattani, I immediately knew he was the face for the lead in 'Saaz'. It's a face that tempts the camera. I'd certainly like him to play the lead."