Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 9, 2021)

Bollywood appears to be the next stop for Wamiqa Gabbi, a popular face in Punjabi and South cinema. The actor already has the Sakshi Tanwar-led series, Mai, and Netflix’s ambitious Baahubali: Before the Beginning in her kitty. Now, word is that the 2017 Malayalam film, Godha, will be adapted into Hindi with Gabbi reprising her role of a Punjabi wrestler. Basil Joseph, who directed the original drama starring Tovino Thomas, will apparently resume his place behind the camera.

Source reveals that the story, which was largely set in Kerala, is currently being tweaked to suit the north Indian palate. After the script and the remaining cast members are locked, Joseph will take the project on floors in the coming months. “In the original, Wamiqa had delivered a fine performance as Aditi Singh, a wrestling champion who pursues the sport despite her brother’s objection, and eventually inspires the hero to take it up. So, the director felt it would be interesting to see her lend a different flavour to the same role, this time around,” says the source.

The hunt for the leading man is underway.