'I can visualise Ajay Devgn in Mohanlal's role'

Ajay Devgn’s next film is a remake of the hard-hitting Malayalam film Drishyam.

Devgn plays the father of a grown up daughter who takes revenge on those who have wronged her.

Devgn put his action film Shivaay on hold to accommodate the Drishyam remake.

Says a source close to the project: "After the debacle of Action Jackson, Ajay did a quick re-think about his next project.

“Shivaay seemed like another revenge drama. Devgn did some quick re-shuffling to do a film that presents him as a mature father of two daughters who must find a way to protect his elder daughter.”

Director Nishikant Kamat, who is currently shooting with John Abraham for Rocky Handsome, says that when the producers, Viacom 18, showed him the original Malayalam film, "I was bowled over. I can visualise Ajay Devgn in Mohanlal’s role."

Kamat says he has wanted to work with Devgn for a long time. "This film will bring out a new facet to his personality."

The Drishyam remake begins shooting on February 20 in Kerala.

"After that we go to Hyderabad and finally a 20-day shoot in Goa. The film will be released by the end of the year," says the director.

A Tamil version of the same film, starring Kamal Haasan, is ready for release.

"I have only seen the Malayalam version. I will make some changes in the script. But not too many," promises Nishikant Kamat.