2012 - Southern directors to shine in Bollywood

Mumbai: Bollywood's growing fixation with the South has not just helped superstars like Salman Khan reclaim their stardom, but it has also become a ticket for many southern directors to make their mark here.

Probably why even before the release of his film Ek Deewana Tha, buzz about Gautham Vasudev Menon planning his next remake is already doing the rounds.

The director plans to recreate his Tamil superhit Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu with either Shah Rukh Khan or Salman reprising Kamal Haasan's role in the original.

Says a source, "Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (2006) was a superhit because it was one of the more modern crime thrillers with some super advanced special effects."

Kamal Hassan plays a cop in the film, and it was reviewed as one of the most engaging investigative films down south.

So technically since Salman has already played a cop in Tamil film Pokhri's Bollywood remake Wanted, he seems to be at an advantage here. However, we hear that the director is trying to work out dates with both Salman as well as SRK.

Adds the source, "It's the role of a daredevil cop who is not just defined by his work, but also the style in which he does it."

Says Gautham, "We are showing the film around and we hope it gets picked up. As far as SRK and Salman go, all I can say is that it is a wish list. It would be great if either come on board, because it's a film for the masses."

Gautham is no stranger to Hindi cinema. The director made his Bollywood debut with the Rehnaa Hein Terre Dil Mein, which was the remake of his south superhit Minnale.

Director Nishikanth Kamath remade Menon's Khaka Khaka into Force. And now the Hindi remake of his superhit film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa is all set to hit screens.

Bollywood bound

We take a look at some prominent South names all set to give Bollywood directors a run for their money.

A R Murgadoss: After giving Bollywood one of its biggest blockbusters with Aamir Khan at the helm, Ghajini director AR Murugadoss now plans to recreate history with yet another Khan. We hear that he will be remaking his 2002 Tamil hit Ramana in Hindi. The original film, starring Vijaykanth, captured a common man's fight against corruption.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is apparently all set to produce the film starring SRK.

Dhanush: After the Kolaveri Di mania, there couldn't be a better time for Dhanush to announce his baby steps in Bollywood. The Tamil superstar is now planning to turn director with a fantasy flick in Hindi. He is looking forward to cast Hrithik Roshan in the lead.

Prabhu Deva: After making waves as an accomplished choreographer in Bollywood, Prabhu Deva got behind the camera with Wanted the Hindi remake of Telugu film Pokiri. The Salman-starrer was not just the surprise hit of 2010, but made way for many such remakes that very year. His second directorial venture, Rowdy Rathore starring Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha, is already making all the right noises. The film will hit the big screen in June.

Siddique: His debut Hindi film Bodyguard is the second highest grosser in Bollywood. No wonder Siddique has put his next Malayalam film with Mohanlal on hold, to kickstart work on his next Bollywood film, which we hear will star an A-lister as well.

Posted in: Bollywood