Big B's august presence in CHANDRAMUKHI

The remake of the Rajnikant blockbuster, CHANDRAMUKHI, which grossed a business of more than Rs 100 crores, will begin shooting after six months according to Harish Dayani, C.E.O., Sa Re Ga Ma, which is co-producing the film with K.S. Rama Rao. "We intend to sign a big hero and heroine in the intervening period. Besides these six months will help Mr Bachchan to get back to work in excellent health and spirits," Dayani reveals.

The film will have Bachchan playing the role of a psychiatrist, who comes to India from New York for the treatment of the female protagonist in the film. Telugu filmmaker V Naren Aditya, will direct the film. According to Dayani, Bachchan evinced a keen interest in the film the moment he heard the story.

"His august presence in the film was decided from day one, when we jointly decided to acquire the remake rights of the film. He too liked the story immensely," Dayani reveals.

He further informs that they have decided to follow the original Malayalam script and screenplay of the original CHANDRAMUKHI, which was directed by Fazil in 1994. "It is the first and original version of the film. However we intend to make modifications and adapt it to the sensibilities of the Hindi audiences," he adds.

Apparently Sa Re Ga Ma and the co-producer, K.S. Rama Rao, paid an unheard price for the remaking rights of the film, beating all other contenders in the race to acquire it. "We did pay a very big price. A project of this stature definitely comes at a price," Dayani reveals.

The film will be shot extensively in New York and Rajasthan.