Dhanush starrer “Maappilai’, a remake of Superstar Rajnikanth’s yesteryear film with the same title will likely start rolling from October 20. The film is directed by Sooraj, who earlier churned out Dhanush’s “Padikadhavan’.

“Maappilai’ will have the same team of technicians in “Padikadhavan’ working together. Manisharma scores music for the film while Venkatesh cranks the camera. Tollywood’s hottie Hansika Motwani will star opposite Dhanush in female lead while Shiyaji Shinde does the baddie role.

According to the closer sources of unit, the filmmaker hasn’t finalized the talks with yesteryear actress on performing the role of Dhanush’s mother-in-law. Earlier buzzes were that Sri Devi was offered Rs.1 Crore as her remuneration for donning this role. But now, it has been revealed that Sooraj is still holding talks with other actresses for the role and nothing has been confirmed.

The film has been slated for the release of summer 2010.

-R. Richard Mahesh/ Sampurn Media