Rakshit Shetty will speak to Sudeep after THIS film about doing Thugs of Malgudi

When Rakshit Shetty announced his intention to direct a film with Kiccha Sudeep in the lead, the project became a keenly anticipated one, not only because of their collaboration, but also for the subject that they were bringing to the screen. Called Thugs of Malgudi, this film was meant to explore the story of the Thugs/Thugees, who were branded robbers and hunted down by the British to the very last one, when they were, in actuality, only expressing dissent over the British rule. While the film never took off, with both Rakshit and Sudeep busy with their own set of commitments, the former has often indicated that he would like to revisit the subject at some point.

Rakshit Shetty – Kiccha Sudeep collaboration, Thugs of Malgudi, abandoned? 

Recently, when Rakshit was asked if Thugs of Malgudi will take shape, he said that his immediate priority would be to direct and act in Richard Anthony, as that is a character that’s stayed with him for a decade. Richie, he says, is a character that’s had a fanbase since Ulidavaru Kandante, and back then itself, Rakshit had been asked why he’d restricted the character’s story and screen space in the larger scheme of things. When he then began to look at how best to explore Richie’s story, he developed what he calls “an amazing script”, which, however, has some urgency attached to it. Richard Anthony, says Rakshit, is a story that must be told now and not in another five years or so.

Read also: Rakshit Shetty: After Sapta Sagaradaache Ello, I will concentrate on direction

A few months ago, when there were rumours of Rakshit doing a cameo in a Tamil film, he had taken to social media to clarify that his immediate priority would be to direct a bunch of films that he’s been talking about for a while, including Richard Anthony, Punyakoti and Midway to Moksha. This, he reiterated again, stating that after Richard Anthony, he will proceed to make Punyakoti, a subject that has been haunting him for a while. Making it, which he intends to do in two parts, is of utmost importance, as only then will he able to sleep peacefully.

After Punyakoti is when Rakshit reckons he can work on Thugs of Malgudi. “I will speak to Sudeep sir then and if he is also interested and available to do the film at the time, we will take it forward,” Rakshit told a Kannada digital publication. For now, Rakshit will focus on the release of promotion of Sapta Sagaradaache Ello, the second instalment of which is due on October 20.