PremiumKiccha Sudeep on collaborating with Rakshit Shetty for Thugs of Malgudi: ‘It’s time to…’
Early on in his career, Rakshit Shetty had announced a directorial with Kiccha Sudeep, but a decade later, it's remained an announcement. Sudeep has the final word on whether it will happen or not
Last Updated: 09.28 PM, Dec 17, 2024
It’s been a decade since actor-filmmaker Rakshit Shetty announced Thugs of Malgudi, a film in which he would direct Kiccha Sudeep. The film, set in the early 19th century was to revolve around the Thugs/Thugees, who, according to the British were a gang of robbers and murderers that they deemed fit to hunt down and end. Historians believe that this was the British way of silencing any voices of dissent. Rakshit’s film was meant to shed light on the Thugees, but it’s just not happened.
In fact, a few days ago, Rakshit was asked yet again if Thugs of Malgudi was still on his list of planned films and he maintained that as one of his favourite scripts, it is still on the agenda, but that he was not able to say when he would get down to actually making it. Getting Thugs of Malgudi on the road would, obviously, mean that Sudeep also has to be on board after these many years.
What does the Kannada superstar think of a possible collaboration with Rakshit? Speaking to the media during the promotions of his upcoming film Max, Sudeep said that it is very sweet of Rakshit to keep saying that they will collaborate at some point.
“But it is the most fictional line ever. I say that with a lot of love, because Rakshit is growing and it is time to relieve him. If you notice, every time he’s asked about Thugs of Malgudi, it is one of 3, then 4 and eventually 6 films that he’s planning. He doesn’t know what to say when asked if we will collaborate and puts him under pressure. He is a big dreamer and it is never self-centred. He loves to do cinema, so, it is time to relieve him and let him do what his heart is set on. Let’s stop asking if he will make a film with me,” said Sudeep.
The actor added that he does not want to hold Rakshit to a promise that was made years ago. “Thugs of Malgudi star cast will be Rakshit, if it ever happens,” Sudeep signs off.