Bangalore, April 11

Kannada Movie icon Vishnuvardhan's posthumous release "Aaptha Rakshaka" is doing so well at the box office that director P. Vasu has decided to remake it in Telugu.

The news is that the Telugu version of "Aaptha Rakshaka" will be remade with Venkatesh in the lead. Being produced by Bellamkonda Suresh, the film will go on floors April 28.

Confirming the news in a conversation with IANS, Vasu said that the success of "Aaptha Rakshaka" has prompted many producers to buy its remake rights.

"Bellamkonda Suresh approached me first and the deal was settled. We have already finalised top heroine Anushka to play the lead in the film," said Vasu who is busy with the pre-production work of the Telugu version.

"Aaptha Rakshaka", Vishnuvardhan's 200th film, is in its sixth week and has grossed over Rs.30 crore in the state. It is yet to be screened abroad and other state capitals which may fetch more revenues for producer Krishna Prajwal.

"Aaptha Rakshaka" was scripted and directed by Vasu, who had earlier directed its prequel "Aaptha Mithra". Starring Vishnuvardhan and Soundarya, it was a big hit. Later Vasu remade it in Tamil as "Chandramukhi" with superstar Rajnikant and Jyothika in the lead roles. The film ran for 800 days in Chennai.

Incidentally, "Aaptha Rakshaka" was also shown to Tamil Superstar Rajnikant and "Chandramukhi" producer Sivaji Prabhu. Since Rajnikant is busy completing his most awaited film "Endhiran", he turned down the offer.

"Rajni sir liked the film very much. He also said that he was feeling that his friend Vishnuvardhan was still alive and talking to him. Rajni sir also told me many a time that he had felt that he was watching one of his own films," said Vasu.

Vasu, however, says he can do the Tamil remake of "Aaptha Rakshaka" after the release of the Telugu version.

If reports are to be believed, Bengali actress Kamalini Mukherjee, who has been seen in several southern movies, will play an important role in it.