Arjun Reddy Director Says He Won’t Direct The Hindi Version With Arjun Kapoor

Sandeep Reddy Vanga who directed one of last year’s most striking films Arjun Reddy,is caught  in  a strange dilemma, not of his making.

The Hindi remake rights of Arjun Reddy have now gone to producers  Murad Khetani and Ashwin Varde of Cine1 Studios.They are keen on the  original director Sandeep ReddyVanga directing the  Hindi remake. But Vanga clearly had other plans for his Telugu masterpiece in  Hindi.

“I had  all but finalized Shahid Kapoor for the Hindi remake  of Arjun Reddy. We had met and discussed the  character and  all the details of how it was to be interpreted for a Hindi audience.But my co-producer had other plans,” sighs Vanga.

 Three days before the  release of Arjun Reddy, Vanga wrote off the remake rights to his associate. “He came to me  with an emotional plea, wanting me  to put his father’s name  in  the credits as  a producer. At that time I was thinking only of somehow releasing the  film on time. I had put everything into this film.When we couldn’t find a producer for the film my family and I put out own money in to produce Arjun Reddy. However at the last minute I signed  a document as per my associate’s desire.”

Resultantly  Vanga lost financial control over  the remake rights  of Arjun Reddy. After going  into advanced talks for the Hindi remake  with Shahid Kapoor, Vanga has now lost  the opportunity to direct Shahid in the Hindi remake .

 Says Vanga, “I’ve come to know that the remake rights of Arjun Reddy have been sold to in Hindi and  the Hindi remake would star Arjun Kapoor. I am  caught in a dilemma, as I’ve already locked in Shahid  for the role.”

Vanga dismisses talk of Varun Dhawan being approached for  the Hindi remake . “I wantedRanveer Singh.When that didn’t work out I approached Shahid  Kapoor .We met and discussed the remake at length. Now I’ve been informed  the  film will be made with ArjunKapoor.It’s a very embarrassing situation for me. I don’t know how I’ll face Shahid. I am  new to all t

his. Arjun Reddy was my first  film. I don’t know how the casting procedure works in  the Hindi or Telugu film industry.”

 Although Boney Kapoor has personally met Vanga in  Hyderabad, the director is  unlikely to direct  the Hindi remake of Arjun Reddy. “Mr Boney  Kapoor has met me and was very warm and accommodating. But I am not sure it’s right for me to direct the film with another actor  after I’ve discussed it with Shahid.In any case I’d wish the project my very best. After all it’s my baby.”

If Sandeep Reddy Vanga does decide  to  direct  Arjun Reddy in Hindi he will have one immediate prerequisite.

“Arjun  Kapoor will have to lose 20 kgs,” says  Vanga firmly.

 Is  Arjun  ‘Reddy’ for  the challenge?