The blockbuster film Manal Kayiru (1982) was the outcome of my guru late K.Balachander’s remarks on my stage play Mahabharadhathil Mangatha,” disclosed actor/politician S.Ve. Shekar (who played the lead hero in the movie) at the promo event of its remake titled Manal Kayiru 2.
The remake will feature three actors from the original film — S Ve. Shekhar, Visu and Kuriakose Ranga. Madhan Kumar of Yaaruda Mahesh fame, directs the new version.
Speaking at the audio launch, S.Ve. Shekar who has also taken the onus of story, screenplay and dialogue supervision besides being the executive producer, said, “Here in the remake, I have tweaked the story a little. While the original film has the protagonist laying down eight conditions to be fulfilled by his soon-to-be wife, the new version will have the lead girl played by Poorna laying down the conditions for her prospective husband essayed by Ashwin Shekar.”
He added, “My mentor K.Balachander sir was the chief guest for my play Mahabharathathil Mangatha’s 100th show. He made some remarks about the play (as he felt there was no story in it). I took it in the right spirit. I immediately said, ‘See Visu sir is here, he is known for family dramas. Can he write a comedy play?’. Visu took a minute to reply and asked me to meet him about a new comedy play called Modi Mastan. He launched the play exactly a month later and after completing 100 shows, he made it into a feature film with the title Manal Kayiru, which was produced under KB sir’s home banner.”
