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MUMBAI:
Known for making shows on Indian television like Bigg
Boss and Fear Factor, Endemol India has forayed into
the film making business.
Starting
their foray, the production company has already acquired
remaking rights of the Sujoy Ghosh-directed Vidya Balan-starrer
Kahaani in Tamil and Telugu.
"After
having produced content for some of the biggest format
shows in the country, we realised that it was time for
us to venture into something new. Film making was always
on the cards and we are delighted to finally set out
to actually do it. We are already lining up projects
for 2013 and are extremely excited about our first project,
the remake of Kahaani which will be in production soon,"
Endemol India CEO Deepak Dhar said.
Will
the Tamil and Telugu remake be a low cost affair like
the original? "The South markets have their own
dynamics and cost structures. We will be producing
these films at levels comparable to medium to high
cost films that one sees down South. We are investing
in the best of talent and technical talent to do justice
to the original script," quipped Dhar.
Sujoy
Ghosh, who produced the original script, will also
step in as the producer for the remakes and will be
working with a leading director from the South Indian
film industry.
Would
Ghosh direct the remakes? "Ghosh would continue
to be involved in this project from the scripting
to the first copy as a creative producer. His learnings
and creative skills will be utilised to the fullest
by us on the project. But to do justice to the local
language and the market dynamics, we will be investing
in the best of directorial, writing and technical
talent down South," Dhar observed.
Endemol
India is currently in talks with a couple of leading
actors from South for the lead role in the remake
of Kahaani. Will the original characters be there
in the remakes too? "We are currently writing
the script for both languages keeping in mind the
local culture and sensibilities. We will retain the
original characters but who will play them and how
they will play out will be a matter of time before
we announce them," answered Dhar.
Filming
of the remakes is slated to begin in September while
the release of the film in the two languages is earmarked
for early January.
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