Remakes are always a challenge, especially if the original film was a blockbuster, like the Malayalam film Bangalore Days.
Comparisons with the original are inevitable. Tamil director Bhaskar was well aware of this.
Hardly new to challenges, this Tamilian who grew up in Vellore, and after a Diploma in Film Technology, made his debut film in Telugu, a language that he neither spoke nor wrote. The film, Bommarillu, with Siddharth and Genelia as the leads, was a blockbuster. Baskar received two Nandi awards, for direction and screenplay writing. Since then he has been known as ‘Bommarillu Baskar.’
So when PVP Cinemas, a well-known Telugu production house, offered him the remake of Bangalore Days, Baskar took the plunge.
One of the reasons for the success of Bangalore Days was its multi-star cast: Nazriya Nazim, Nivin Pauly, Fahad Faasil and Dulquer Salmaan. Initially the producers planned on a bilingual in Tamil and Telugu, bringing Rana Daggubati on board, playing Faasil’s role.
Baskar remembers meeting Daggubati the first time.
“Rana had beefed up his body for Baahubali [the hit Rajamouli period drama] and towered over me,” recalled Baskar, himself six feet tall. “I wondered how he was going to fit into Fahad’s character.”
Daggubati’s commitment to his work surprised Baskar when few months later, the star appeared before him, having lost 25 kilos.
The idea of a Telugu remake was shelved and work began on Bangalore Naatkal, in Tamil. Daggubati impressed his director in no time.
Sri Divya plays Nazriya’s character. Initially the actress had doubts about doing the role.
“I did not want my actors to compare themselves with the original cast and suggested that she focuses only on her role.”
Baskar credits Tamil actor Arya’s presence on the sets for the camaraderie among the team. Arya plays Dulquer Salmaan’s role.
“Arya is a jolly guy and always teasing someone. It helped the actors bond well and translate this friendship onto screen.
“The moment I called [action], Arya slipped into his role. But after his shot, he was back to his naughty self.”
Malayalam actress Parvathy plays Sarah, the wheelchair-bound RJ, the same role that she played in Bangalore Days.
Baskar reveals that she is one actress who comes to sets with only one assistant to help her.
“Parvathy does her own make-up and hair styling and has no demands at all. However she had innumerable questions about her character. She is an intense performer.”
Look out for Bobby Simha in Nivin Pauly’s role. He will surprise viewers in a role that is markedly different from his earlier roles.
