Priyadarshan declines offer to remake `Kanchivaram`

Mumbai: Ace director Priyadarshan, who has made a career in Bollywood by remaking his own Malayalam films into Hindi, declined an offer to remake his National award-winning Tamil film `Kanchivaram`.The filmmaker believes that films like `Kanchivaram` can be made only once.

"I have remade quite a few of my films in Hindi but I am not willing to do so for `Kanchivaram`. Such films can`t be remade and should be best left untouched," Priyadarshan told reporters in an interview. `Kanchivaram` is a Tamil film and stars Prakash Raj (who won a National Award for his performance) and Shriya Reddy in principal roles. The film`s story is set in silk weavers` town of Kanchipuram, in post-independence India. "When this person came to me with the idea of remaking `Kanchivaram`, I had to ask him to go to hell," said Priyadarshan, who has made close to 75 films in his 25 year long career as a director. While most of his films have been in Malayalam followed by Hindi, he has also ventured into Tamil and Telugu. Priyadarshan is considered one of the most prolific and successful mainstream directors in the film industry but he has often been blamed for remaking his own films. "But `De Dana Dan` was not a remake,", Priyadarshan shoots back when asked. "I was super confident of it`s success. It is one of the biggest money spinners of my career. Also, it is also one of the most complicated situational comedies with more than couple of dozen characters that I directed," he says about the recently released film, starring Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Suniel Shetty in key roles. Unfazed with all the criticism coming his way when it comes to `remakes`, the director says he is amused by industry`s double standards. "When filmmakers go ahead and remake a `Wanted` or a `Ghajini`, no one questions that. When there are actors like Salman Khan or Aamir Khan involved, then there doesn`t seem to be any problem and no one doubts the intent. But when I remake my own film, all fingers start pointing in my direction," says Priyadarshan. He has another reason behind the grudge that he is carrying. "If you look at it, the fact is that most of the times a subject other filmmakers have to go and buy rights for a remake before starting the shooting. On the other hand I reuse my own material. I can be allowed that at least, right," he says. Given the fact that in the entire 80s he was primarily making Malayalam films, he has gone national only from 2000 with `Hera Pheri`, which has gained a cult status. And the director, who has since directed hit comedies like `Halchal`, `Kyunki` and `Bhool Bhulaiyaa`, is happy that he has managed to reach out to a larger audience. "For so many years my movies were being seen by small crowds by Kerala. They really worked there and brought smiles on people`s faces. Now when I have managed to reach out to nationwide audiences with the same subjects, I am happy. I don`t get bothered by any allegations or questioning," says Priyadarshan. Priyadarshan is currently working on two films. In `Khatta Meetha` he is teaming up with Akshay Kumar again. The comedy film will also launch South sensation Trisha as the leading lady. The other film is yet untitled action drama which stars Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna in principal roles. Incidentally, both the films are said to be original attempts. He is also planning to make a film on AIDS with Aamir Khan. PTI