Distributor Prashanth Sambargi was so impressed with the trailer and poster of Telugu film Chakkiligintha that he has bought the remake rights of the film for Kannada.
“Chakkiligintha looks like a very young movie that can connect with ordinary people irrespective of language. Anybody who watches the trailer will feel that something similar has happened in their life too. Though I am yet to watch the film, I know the makers and I am familiar with the director’s previous projects as assistant. The film looks very professionally done,” explains Prashanth.
“When a young boy makes a beautiful drawing, you encourage him so that he becomes a good artist in the future. If a girl sings well, she can only go to the next level if we take her to a music director. Likewise, I got a special vibe when I watched the trailer of this film. That’s why I took the initiative of doing it in Kannada,” he says.
Interestingly, he is roping in Telugu actor Sumanth Ashwin for the remake. “One look at Sumanth and you can’t tell that he belongs to a particular region. He is like the boy next door who can fit into any language. Sumanth can become one among the Kannadigas.”
Talking about Sumath’s family, Sambargi says, “To our advantage, he comes from a film background, with his father M S Raju being a well known producer in the Telugu industry. I have also watched Sumanth’s previous film, Lover, and I was impressed by his dancing skills. If my observation is right, he can match steps with Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan,” he says.
The filmmaker plans to start rolling for the Kannada remake in March 2015. And as of now, they have only finalised Sumanth, who is currently busy with another project. “We will think of how we need to package the project once Sumanth finalises the dates,” he says.
Chakkiligintha in Telugu means tickling, but the title cannot be retained for the Kannada version. “We are in search of a good title that matches the romantic theme. With whatever little I know of the film now, the story is not just about love or kissing in parks. There is a message in this romantic story,” he says.