PremiumExclusive! Sunny Deol’s Bollywood remake of Joju George’s Joseph to go on floors in March: M Padmakumar
The filmmaker tells us about his upcoming movies that include the Joseph remake, Pathaam Valavu and the thriller Vettakkorumakan
Last Updated: 01.45 PM, Jan 04, 2022
Mollywood director M Padmakumar concedes that not in his wildest dreams did he think that his directorial Joseph, which had Joju George in the lead, would open doors to him in Kollywood as well as Bollywood. The filmmaker is currently gearing up for his Hindi debut with the remake of the movie with Sunny Deol in the lead.
On the film’s status, Padmakumar, who had earlier helmed Mammootty’s Mamangam and Mohanlal’s Shikkar, says, “We are planning to begin the shoot of the Bollywood film by the end of March in Rajasthan. I am currently busy with its production. We are still finalising the rest of the cast.”
Joseph revolves around an investigation carried out by a group of retired policemen led by Joju's character, who also had to endure a personal tragedy. Ask the director about changes that the Bollywood remake will have and he says, “Sunny Deol watched the movie and expressed his interest to do the remake, and that’s how the project took shape. I never thought that this film will lead to my Bollywood debut, but I think it’s also got to do with the depth and universality of the subject. For this project, everyone is on the same page in the sense that we want the remake to also have the soul of the original film and there wouldn't be too many changes.”
Padmakumar, who had directed the Tamil remake of Joseph titled Vichithiran with RK Suresh, has also wrapped up his next latest movie, Pathaam Valavu. “This is a family thriller, unlike Joseph, which was an investigative thriller. The movie has elements that would appeal to the family audience while also sustaining the mood of a thriller,” he says.
The movie, scripted by Abhilash Pillai, has Indrajith Sukumaran and Suraj Venjaramoodu in the lead. “Suraj plays a convict in the movie. It’s different from the movies that he had done lately. This is made on a bigger canvas and has more commercial elements. Aditi plays the wife of Suraj’s character and actress Muktha’s daughter Kiara essays their child,” he explains, about the film which is based on a real-life incident.
Apart from Pathaam Valavu, which is aiming at a theatrical release in March, Padmakumar will also be teaming up with Indrajith for a big budget movie titled Vettakkorumakan, which is also scripted by Abhilash. “The project is still in its nascent stage. One thing I can say about the movie is that it will be Indran’s biggest film yet. It’s a thriller set in the contemporary era,” he concludes.