Hollywood keen on Malayalam film's rights

Thiruvananthapuram, May 10 (IANS) He recast "Gulliver's Travels" into a uniquely Malayalam mould, and now filmmaker Vinayan's "Atbudha Dweep" with its cast of 300 dwarfs has caught the eye of an American firm and is ready for another makeover.

The ace director's film, which is going through a successful run in Kerala halls, has attracted the attention of the California-based Dream Makers Production company which is bidding for story rights as well as its unique cast, taken from all over India.

"I got a call from Frederick John of the production company asking if I would be interested in passing on the theme of my film to him and also ensuring the entire cast for them," Vinayan told IANS.

He would be meeting company officials in Mumbai on May 20 for further discussions about his film, which tells the tale of an atbudha dweep (wonder island) where all the men are dwarfs and all the women of normal height.

But it might not be so easy to gather the cast of 300 dwarfs. Vinayan had a harrowing time getting together so many and several members of his cast came from as far away as Gujarat and Bihar.

The story is an interesting take on the Jonathan Swift classic about life in the wonder island changing dramatically when four normal men -- played by upcoming superstar Prithviraj, veteran comedians Jagathy Sreekumar, Jagdish and Indrans -- are shipwrecked.

This is Vinayan' 25th film. His first was "Superstar" in 1992 starring Mohanlal look-alike Madanlal. And the man, who forayed into films because he got bored with his job as an executive engineer, has never looked back since.

Now Hollywood beckons.