Kamal Haasan's 'Marmayogi' shelved

Chennai, Nov 12 (IANS) Tamil thespian Kamal Haasan's Rs.1.2 billion magnum opus 'Marmayogi' has been shelved.

'The project has been deferred for the time being. There are resource crunches globally and the film industry is no exception. Meanwhile, Kamal is doing a Tamil comedy quickie,' R. Venkatakrishnan, COO of Pyramid Saimira, producer of the movie, told IANS.

Venkatakrishnan, however, did not comment on the prospects of co-producing the comedy.

The shooting of 'Marmayogi' was scheduled to begin Friday in Hyderabad's Ramoji Film City.

Meanwhile, Haasan has registered a title 'Thalaivan Irukkiraan' with the Tamil Film Producers' Council. The project is under discussion, sources close to the actor said.

According to industry sources, actresses Trisha and Shreya Saran who had been signed for 'Marmayogi', are said to have agreed to work in the ensuing venture.

'Marmayogi' is the second of Haasan's dream costume dramas to be shelved.

The first, 'Marudhanayagam', launched in 1997 by Queen Elizabeth was shelved within 10 days after going on floors after a British company that had planned to co-produce it backed out.

Haasan's earlier comedies - 'Avvai Shanmughi', said to be loosely based on Hollywood hit 'Mrs. Doubtfire', and 'Vasool Raja M.B.B.S.', a remake of Bollywood hit 'Munnabhai M.B.B.S. fared well at the box office.