Badhaai Ho, which released last year, is an enjoyable family entertainer that casts a critical eye on society. Starring Neena Gupta, Ayushmann Khurrana, Gajraj Rao and Sanya Malhotra, it was directed by Amit Sharma. It is now learnt that popular Bollywood producer Boney Kapoor has acquired the southern language remake rights of the film.

Confirming the news, Boney Kapoor told Mumbai Mirror, “Yes, I have acquired the rights to all the South languages. It’s a film that resonates with both the masses and classes so I was keen on remaking it. The Hindi version has done extremely well in the heartland, in fact, across the country, and I am confident the reception down south will be as overwhelming. I am yet to decide whether the Tamil or the Telugu version go on the floors first as it’s work in progress.”

Boney is currently bankrolling Nerkonda Paarvai, the Tamil remake of Pink, starring Ajith which is directed by H Vinoth of Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru fame. While Ajith will reprise Amitabh Bachchan’s role, the remake will also star Vidya Balan, Adhik Ravichandran and Rangaraj Pandey in crucial roles. The team is currently shooting in Hyderabad.

The producer added, “Right now, my priority is to complete Nerkonda Paarvai because though I have made films down south with Ram Gopal Varma (the Telugu films Raatri and Antham), I’m returning to the south after 25 years. Anyway, I am still to lock the director and artistes which will take a while.”

On his decision to produce a Tamil film, Kapoor had said in a statement: “Tamil industry has always been special for me. In fact, it’s been a long journey involving Ajith to collaborate for a film, which he took up as a sheer commitment from the time he shared screen space with my wife in English Vinglish. Accordingly, we both earnestly searched for suitable content that will add a special mileage to our respective works. We are now delighted to have joined hands for Pink.”

(Content provided by Digital Native)