Tamil blockbuster “Theri” has a special place in the hearts of Tamil viewers. While the story may have a few routine elements, the star power of the lead, Vijay, made the film score well at the box office. Pawan Kalyan is currently working on the remake of the same film under the direction of Harish Shankar, who is putting in a lot of effort to ensure that the remake stands out well.
Reports from the film’s unit suggest that everything, except for the main plot, is being adapted and modified to add a unique touch to the film, much like what was done with “Gabbar Singh,” a Telugu remake of “Dabangg.”
Interestingly, a Hindi remake of “Theri” is also in the works, directed by Atlee and starring Varun Dhawan. Keerthy Suresh is playing a pivotal role in the film, replacing the original actress Samantha, and Wamiqa Gabbi is joining the cast to replace Amy Jackson. However, there are doubts about Varun Dhawan carrying the film well on his shoulders.
While Varun Dhawan has a strong fan base and has delivered mass-oriented films, his Bollywood stardom is considered in the medium range, not quite on the level of Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan.
Atlee, the director of the original “Theri,” was initially hesitant about the project because it’s being produced in Hindi under his production banner. However, reports suggest that Atlee is sticking closely to the original script and not making drastic changes to the Hindi version, banking on his track record, especially after delivering a blockbuster like “Jawan” with Shahrukh Khan.
The Atlee brand has gained value in Bollywood, and the director can pull out a stunning theatrical deal for the movie.
However, it remains to be seen how Pawan Kalyan and Varun Dhawan will handle their respective remakes of “Theri” and whether they can bring a fresh perspective to the familiar story.