Venkatesh starrer Sankranthiki Vasthunam, which released on the occasion of Sankranthi in January this year, remains the biggest box office hit this year. The comedy entertainer which also starred Meenaakshi Chaudhary and Aishwarya Rajesh in lead cast, was directed by Anil Ravipudi. Around the time of film’s release, Anil Ravipudi had stated that the team might plan a sequel to Sankranthiki Vasthunam.
However, now reports are coming in that Dil Raju has joined hands with a Bollywood production house for a Hindi remake of the Venkatesh starrer, instead. Reportedly, Akshay Kumar has been signed to play the lead role, that was played by Venkatesh in the original.
Anees Bazmee, known for directing blockbuster comedies like Welcome and No Entry among many more, is reportedly signed to helm direction for the remake. More details about other cast members for the remake are yet to be locked.
Akshay Kumar recently commenced shoot for Priyadarshan's Haiwaan, sharing screen with his frequent collaborator in the 90s, Saif Ali Khan.
This will also mark Dil Raju’s third Hindi film production, after Shahid Kapoor starrer Jersey, and Hit: the First Case, both of which were official remakes of Telugu films not produced by Dil Raju.
This is not the first time, however, that a Dil Raju production is being remade in Hindi. His debut project Dil, which actually earned the producer his moniker, was remade in 2003 with same title with Tusshar Kapoor and Anita Hassanandani. His 2006 blockbuster Bommarillu was remade with Harman Baweja and Genelia D’Souza as It’s My Life, which however was in the cans for a long time before seeing a limited release during first phase of COVID in 2020. The Nani starrer Middle-Class Abbayi was remade as Nikamma (2022).
Additionally, Dil Raju too has remade some films from other languages, like Vakeel Saab (a remake of Pink), Jaanu (a remake of 96) and Nootokka Jillala Andagadu (an unofficial remake of Ondu Motteya Kathe).
