Kannada 'Padosan': Mohan portrays Mehmood's role

Bangalore, Aug 22 (IANS): "Pakkadmane Hudugi" is the Kannada version of the Hindi "Padosan" that regaled audiences in the 1960s with its rib-tickling comedy and hum-able music.

And who could forget Mehmood in a comic character portraying a classical song teacher! In the new avatar, it is Mohan enacting the role.

"Padosan" also starred Sunil Dutt, Saira Banu and Kishore Kumar in the lead roles.

"Pakkadmane Hudugi" is a comeback film for its hero Raghavendra Raj Kumar, who returns to the silver screen after a gap of six years.

M.S. Rajashekhar, who has directed many hit films with Raghavendra, wields the megaphone in this remake. While Raghavendra himself plays the role enacted by Sunil Dutt in the original, it is versatile actor Anant Nag who will step into Kishore Kumar's shoes as the music teacher who takes on Mehmood in "Padosan".

The Kannada remake is being made by a new producer, Shekhar Karlekkanavar. The film, made in Telugu, did not do well earlier.

Rajashekhar says he has not changed anything from the original or introduced any new sequence.

"I have remained faithful to the original narration. I know it will be compared with the original. But what I can assure you is that all the lead artists and technicians have worked hard to make it appealing.

"I know a majority of the people of the present generation might not have seen the original, and I can assure you they will like our film," he promised.

Music director Rajesh Ramanath says he has been prevailed upon to keep the same tunes for three songs, while he has composed new tunes for the other three.

The popular songs from the original -- 'Ek Chathur Anaar' and 'Mere Saamne Waali Khidki Mein' -- will have the same tunes in the Kannada version.

Raghavendra, returning to acting after six years, says the film has shaped up well.

"More than me, it is talented artists like Anant Nag and Mohan who have carried the film on their shoulders. The songs have been set in good backgrounds and well filmed. I am sure the movie will entertain the audience," he said.

For heroine Ranjitha, it is her second film. She made her debut in "Ajju".

The success of "Pakkadmane Hudugi" is crucial for both Ranjitha and Raghavendra.