Prakash Raj to turn director with Kannada film

Bangalore, Sep 14 (IANS) South Indian actor Prakash Raj, who won a National Award for his performance in Tamil film 'Kanchivaram', is now set to turn director with a Kannada movie.

Prakash Raj, who has already worked in films in all southern languages and is a producer too, will wield the megaphone for 'Naanu Nanna Kanasu', a remake of Tamil film 'Abhiyum Naanum'. The actor had starred in the original.

Jointly made by his own Duet Movies and Media House owned by his friends B. Suresha and Shylaja Nag, 'Naanu Nanna Kanasu' would be like a letter written by a loving father to his daughter, Prakash Raj said.

'I am remaking my own film 'Abhiyum Naanum' in Kannada. I am not at all defensive about making a remake. I don't feel I am plunging into direction by making a remake film. That is because I am being inspired by my own film for which I had also participated in the story discussions. I have made some changes for the Kannada film, but I don't think it will be appropriate to discuss these with the media right now,' the actor told reporters here.

Prakash Raj was in Bangalore for a special screening of the award-winning 'Kanchivaram', which was directed by Priyadarshan.

The actor-filmmaker said he had started working on the film's music with composer Hamsalekha and proposed to start shooting the movie by the first week of December. He added that actress Ramya has been chosen to play the lead role in the film.

Co-producer B. Suresha said that while he has been against the remake culture spreading in the Kannada film industry, he is involved in making 'Naanu Nanna Kanasu' as he was moved to tears after seeing the Tamil original.

Hamsalekha said that he would be composing original tunes for the film.

'I have discussed the story of this Kannada film. Prakash Raj has already made some changes in the film's format. It will be shot in Madikeri and other parts of Kodagu district,' said Hamsalekha.

While cinematographer Ananth Urs has been roped in for 'Naanu Nanna Kanasu', Prakash Raj's close friend Arun Sagar will work as the art director.