Thiruvananthapuram, July 3 (IANS) Veteran Malayalam film director Priyadarshan has just completed an intensive Ayurvedic rejuvenation regimen as he prepares to star in two Hindi films this year.
Talking to IANS, Priyadarshan said his first release will be the Hindi remake of Mohanlal’s blockbuster film “Opom”.
“Saif Ali Khan, Bobby Deol and Samudrakani will be playing the lead roles and shooting will begin next month,” said Priyadarshan, who is currently based in Chennai.
“We have made some changes in the Malayalam version of the film to suit a wider audience but the gist of the film remains the same. Khan plays the role of Mohanlal,” said Priyadarshan, a three-time National Award winner.
It is an annual tradition for him to take an Ayurvedic holiday, but this was his first in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As I am getting older, my target is to do 100 films. My next film with Khan will be my 97th. My 98th film is also ready, co-starring Akshay Kumar and is scheduled for the end of the year,” Priyadarshan added.
He said that he will be doing his 100th film with Mohanlal.
“Obviously, it’s something we’ve been planning for a while and as of now nothing has been decided as to what the film will be, but one thing is certain – my film of the century will be with Lal,” Priyadarshan said.
The 67-year-old Priyan (popularly known as Priyan), who burst onto the screens in 1984 with the Malayalam slapstick comedy Poochekhar Mukti and has given some of Malayalam cinema’s biggest hits with Mohanlal, has no reason to look back and hence, he has made meticulous plans for the film of the century but would prefer to keep it a secret.
– Ian
Singapore/KVD