Is it taking place? Is it not? Saif Ali Khan and director Priyadarshan have been negotiating for more than a year to adapt the Malayalam film Oppam (2016) for the Hindi market. The actor’s idea has now come to fruition. The producers announced last week in a film trade journal that they had purchased the adaptation rights to the Priyadarshan-directed Mohanlal feature. before doing this, the actor-director team has laid the groundwork for their next remake, which Midday has learned will begin production before the end of the year.

What is the Malayalam action thriller about, then? It was produced by Antony Perumbavoor and narrates the tale of Mohanlal’s sight-impaired character, Jayaraman, who has an enhanced sense of touch, hearing, and scent. Jayaraman decides to defend the judge’s daughter when a retired judge is killed by a guy he wrongfully imprisoned.

According to a source, Khan has been negotiating with Priyadarshan and the makers of Oppam since 2023. Saif started filming Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins in the next months, while Priyadarshan focused on his own projects. In addition to obtaining the rights, the actor has now set the dates for filming. The screenplay is currently being worked on by the director. After Saif finishes director Rahul Dholakia’s next film and Priyadarshan finishes Bhooth Bangla starring Akshay Kumar and Tabu, the filming would start by the end of 2025, the source said.

Bobby Deol, who is having a great second innings in Bollywood, will play the adversary alongside Khan in the adaptation. Remarkably, Samuthirakani, who played the antagonist in the first film, is also anticipated to have a significant part.

However, Khan will begin rigorous preparation before the actors appear on camera. Getting Kalaripayattu would be a crucial step in the preparation. After Rahul’s film, Saif would take a two-month hiatus to attend courses on portraying a blind role, the source continues. Since his character is portrayed as a proficient martial artist, he would then go to Kerala to learn in Kalaripayattu. In the film, Saif and Bobby will also have different appearances.