Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor in Telugu Blockbuster Remake


Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor will likely headline the remake of SS Rajamouli's 2009 Telugu reincarnation film, Magadheera.

It will be their third film together after Ajab Prem Ki Gajam Kahani and Rajneeti.

More significantly, it will be their first film together since they started dating on the set of Rajneeti.

Magadheera is a National Award winning film, with its story set in two eras.

The film's narration flits to and fro between the year 1604 and contemporary times.

The protagonist was a warrior and protector of the royal family in his earlier life. He was killed in the process of protecting the kingdom's princess, whom he loved, from the deceit and guile of a rival suitor.

Ram Charan Teja played the warrior in the original, and Kajal Aggarwal the princess. The story was written by Vijayendra Prasad and M. Ratnam.

While Ranbir is already on board, Katrina has talked with co-producer Allu Arvind, but has yet to sign on formally. Co-producer Madhu Mantena has briefed Ranbir to beef up for his tough guy role.

"Ranbir has got a detailed brief on how he needs to make his body match the role he will play," a source told Mumbai Mirror.

Mantena, who also produced Ghajini, was keen on the remake since the release of the original in 2009, but the project could not take off because he could not finalize the male lead. He offered the headlining role to Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Shahid Kapoor, but all three declined.

The film is the highest grossing movie in the Telugu film industry ever. It was dubbed in Tamil and released as Maveeran. Earlier this month, the film's Malyalam version, titled Dheeran, was released.

Mantena had earlier announced the film will be budgeted at Rs70 crore and will be bigger than Ghajini.

Ranbir has hired brand management services of Mantena's company Kwan.