Sun Pictures, Dhanush and Suraj. This winning combination of `Padikathavan' is now back with `Mappillai', which has already raised enough expectations in trade circles as well as among the audience.

It's not without reason we say expectations are high for the movie. For it is a remake of a yesteryear Rajinikanth starrer of the same title, and it has none other than the top actor's son-in-law himself playing the lead role.

Produced by Sun Pictures, `Mappillai' has Hansika Motwani as heroine and heartthrob of the last decade Manisha Koirala playing the mother-in-law role played by Sri Vidya in the original version.

"The movie's basic knot alone is inspired from Rajini sir's Mappillai. Apart from that, the entire script has been rewritten to suit the new-gen audience. The film is a straight contrast to my last venture Aadukalam," says Dhanush.

He adds: "In this movie, there are mass kuthu numbers with my favourite remix. (`Ennoda raasi nalla raasi.') Visuals are much better. I felt very comfortable to work with Suraj and other members of the team."

On his part, the director says, "I had little apprehension while choosing the project since the original was a huge hit, that too with Rajini sir in the lead. But I am happy now as the movie has been shaped up well."

Mani Sharma scores music while Venkatesh cranks the camera. Shayaji Shinde plays a baddie. And the comedy part is being taken care of by Vivek, whose name in this movie is `Child' Chinna.

With Dhanush's earlier ventures `Uthamaputhiran' and `Aadukalam' doing well at the box office, one expects `Mappillai', claimed to be a racy action-packed entertainer laced with a family drama, to repeat the magic in box office.