Mollywood Retake: What If Mani Ratnam's Agni Natchathiram Is Remade In Malayalam?

Agni Natchathiram, the 1988-released drama film played a huge role in laying the foundation to Mani Ratnam's star status in Tamil film industry. The movie narrated the strained relationship of two half-brothers, played by Prabhu and Karthik.

Amala Akkineni and Nirosha playing the female leads opposite Prabhu and Karthik respectively in Agni Natchathiram, which was scripted by Mani Ratnam himself. Vijayakumar, Sumithra, Jayachithra, SN Lakshmi, etc., appeared in the supporting roles.

Let us see who would fit into the characters of Agni Natchathiram, if it is made in Malayalam now....

Dulquer Salmaan as Gautham

The role of Gautham, the short-tempered police academy trainee who struggles to accept his father's bigamy and fails to make peace with his half-brother Ashok, was played by Prabhu in the movie. If the movie is remade in Malayalam, Dulquer Salmaan will be the best choice for the role.

Nivin Pauly as Ashok

Ashok is a ruthless, unemployed young man who is extremely frustrated with the fact that he is the illegitimate son of his father Vishwanath. The role, which was played by Karthik in the original, is tailor-made for Nivin Pauly.

Siddique as Vishwanath

Vishwanath is a middle-aged man who struggles in between in his two wives and fails to be a good father to both his sons. Vijayakumar played the character to near perfection in the original. If Agni Natchathiram is ever remade in Malayalam, Siddique is the only choice for the role.

Keerthy Suresh as Anjali

Amala Akkineni played the role of Anjali, the bubbly girl who brings a breath of fresh air into Gautham's complicated life, in Agni Natchathiram. Keerthi Suresh will be a good choice for the role of Anjali, if the movie is remade in Malayalam now.

Nirosha as Anitha

The role of Anitha, who initially attracts Ashok with her charm and later makes falls head over heals in love with him, was played by Nirosha in the original. Anu Emmanuel will be perfect for the role, if the movie is remade in Malayalam now.

Agni Natchathiram, which was a major critical and commercial success, ran for about 200 days at the theatres all over Tamil Nadu. The songs composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja emerged as the chartbusters of 1988.

The movie earned two Filmfare Awards South, including the trophies for Best Tamil Movie and Best Actor Tamil (won by Karthik who played Ashok). Agni Natchathiram also won three Tamil Nadu State awards.

Interestingly, Mani Ratnam's formed assistant Bejoy Nambiar is reportedly all set to remake Agni Natchathiram in Hindi, with Dhanush and Harshvardhan Rane reprising the roles played by Karthik and Prabhu respectively.

Agni Natchathiram was earlier remade in Hindi under the title Vansh, with Siddharth Ray and Sudhesh Berry in the lead role. The movie was also dubbed and released in Telugu, under the title Gharshana.