Actor Kichcha Sudeepa is the front-runner to reprise Prithviraj Sukumaran's character in the Telugu remake of the critically-acclaimed Malayalam film, Ayyappanum Koshiyum. Starring Pawan Kalyan, the yet-to-be-titled action thriller is being helmed by Saagar K Chandra and produced by S Naga Vamsi under Sithara Entertainments.

Ayyappanum Koshiyum revolves around a battle of egos between a police officer named Ayyappan Nair, played by Biju Menon, and an ex-Havildar named Koshy Kurien, essayed by Prithviraj Sukumaran. While Pawan Kalyan will be seen in Biju Menon's role, Sudeepa has been offered Prithviraj's character.

"Sudeepa is the top contender to step into the shoes of Prithviraj. The team felt that the character suits the image of Sudeepa convincingly and the actor too was pleased with the offer and has requested the bound script. He might sign the dotted line if his role offers equal screen presence and significance to that of Pawan Kalyan's," says a source in the know.

Besides Telugu, Ayyappanum Koshiyum is also being remade in Tamil and Hindi. While Sasikumar has been roped in for one of the characters in Tamil, the cast of the Hindi remake, which is being produced by John Abraham under JA Entertainment, is yet to be finalised.