Tamil film Soorarai Pottru swept the 68th National Film Awards, winning the trophy for Best Feature Film, Best Actor (Suriya), Best Actress (Aparna Balamurali), Best Screenplay (Sudha Kongara and Shalini Usha Nair) and Best Background Score (GV Prakash). Director Sudha Kongara is now busy with the Hindi remake, which will see Akshay Kumar taking on Suriya’s role.
When asked about the adaptation, Sudha told Times Of India that she had made a few adjustments because the original script had drawn some criticism. The situation and the performers would be “extremely different” in the Hindi version, she continued. Suriya and Akshay Kumar are “quite distinct actors,” she added, adding that. She said that he gives the role his own perspective, saying, “Aside from the one show we had, I don’t think Akshay sir saw the film again.” Also, Sudha said that because the actors are so diverse, they alter the tone of the movie, which she found to be “wonderful.”
Akshay Kumar congratulated the Soorarai Pottru team following the announcement of the National Film Awards. Overjoyed to see #SooraraiPottru take home the top prize at the National Awards, he tweeted. My brother @Suriya offl, #AparrnaBalamurali, and my director #SudhaKongara deserve our sincere congratulations. I’m honoured to be a part of the Hindi version of such a classic movie.
The plot of Soorarai Pottru centres on a guy who aspires to start his own aeroplane service and the challenges he must overcome in order to realise his goal.