Krishna Vamsi Set to Realise Prakash Rai's Dream

HERE IS A LEGENDARY PLAY AND A FILM IN MARATHI THAT HAS A CULT STATUS OF SORTS, WHICH, PRAKASH RAJ DREAMS TO REMAKE FOR SOUTH AUDIENCE. KRISHNA VAMSI HOLDS THE REINS FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS PROJECT 'RANGA MAARTHAANDA' 

- RAJESHWARI KALYANAM

Natasamrat' the legendary Marathi play, which was also made into an award-winning film with Nana Patekar in the lead is now getting a south touch.

Prakash Raj bought the rights for the film by Mahesh Manjrekar. Director Krishna Vamsi has adapted the play to suit the times and sensibilities of the south audience for his next ambitious project 'Ranga Marthanda'. In addition to roping in Ramya Krishna and Brahmanandam in a casting coup of sorts, he has actors Aadarsh Balakrishna, Vamsee Changanti, Anasuya Bharadwaj, Ramya Krishna, Ali Reza, Shivathmika, Rahul Sipliganj as part of the team.

The Original Natasamrat

Natasamrat is a legendary Marathi Play, which for a very long time enjoyed success on stage but many feared to bring it on to the stage until Nana Patekar finally agreed to do it. This is about an ageing Marathi stage actor written by award winning playwright Kastubha Vyas loosely based on Shakespeare's 'King Lear'. Sriram Lagoo for a long time played the central character in the play.

Actors like Paresh Rawal, Nana Patekar, Naseeruddin Shah and even Amitabh were approached to make it into a film, but none dared. Playwright Mahesh convinced Nana Manjrekar finally convinced Patekar, who had to agree and the film went on to gain cult status.

The Adaptation

When Prakash bought the rights of the Marathi original, he, as a friend asked me to watch and say if we can do something.

It was around the time, I wanted to do a youthful film like 'Rang De Basathiwas a very slow movie with subtitles. By the time I finished watching the film, I had tears in my eyes, I got connected, And I told Prakash this film has to be made.

And offered any help he needs. He then asked me to direct the film - You know me well, and you will deal with me well, and bring out the emotional drama - he said.