Ace filmmaker P. Vasu is back in K’town with the remake of his Kannada blockbuster Shivalinga, which had Shivarajkumar in the lead. Reprising him in Tamil with the same title, is choreographer, actor, and filmmaker Raghavendra Lawrence.
Speaking to DC in an exclusive, Vasu says that he has made enough changes in the script to suit the Tamil nativity. “I am not remaking it frame by frame. I have made many changes retaining the core. Vadivelu has been brought on board for comedy.”
He also reveals that this is the first time that Lawrence plays the role of a police officer. “He has undergone an image makeover and has improvised his body language. He has put in his share of hard work to suit the character he plays. Along with him, a pigeon also plays a special role in the film! We have obtained special permission from the Animal Welfare Board to shoot scenes with the birds.”
On Vadivelu, with whom he shares a great vibe, he comments, “He has a lot of offers for comedy roles, but in my film, he knew the importance of his character, and what will go well in the movie. He improvises a lot on the dialogues while shooting — and it will get huge applause from the audiences. It’s a huge role — and the episodes involving him and Urvashi are hilarious.”
Vasu also vouches for Ritika Singh and he assures that she will be talked about for her performance, especially in four important scenes — “It is not the regular heroine role. It’s a tough one! All the same, I also had the responsibility of utilising a performer like her well.”
Shakthi Vasu, his son, will be seen in the same role as he played in the original. “Shakthi’s role is crucial. The story starts with him and he has got critical acclaim for his feat in Kannada. In Tamil, there is a lot of scope for him in the
climax.”
About his blockbuster yesteryear movie, Mannan being remade, he says, “Only preliminary talks are initiated. Master (Lawrence) evinced interest in it. I have to find an equal to perform Vijayshanthi’s role in the remake. Otherwise, it won’t work.” Shivalinga is being released on January 26.
