Ajit best choice for 'Billa', says Rajini

Ajit is the 'best choice' for 'Billa', commended Rajinikanth at the launch of the new film at AVM Studios in Chennai.

Ajit should really feel flattered by the superstar's comments as it comes from one who himself had played the role of 'Billa" in the 1980 classic which brought him stardom.

The superstar's good word for Ajit is apparently meant to silence those who doubted whether Ajit would match the sterling performance of Rajini in the old "Billa".

Rajinikanth was among the host of celebrities who attended the function to felicitate Ajit on the occasion of the launch of his new project which follows "Kreedam", a remake of the Malayalam hit of the same title. "Kreedom" has been completed and is ready for release next month.

Ajit-starrer ''Billa", which is to be produced by L. Suresh of Ananda Pictures and directed by Vishnuvardan, will have Nayantara and Namita as the leading stars. (Parveen and Sripriya had played opposite Rajini in the original.)

The shooting is scheduled to commence on May 2 in Malaysia. It is planned to have the entire film shot there in one go.

Speaking with Rajinikanth at the end of the function, Director Vishnuvardhan told him that he has done the screenplay of "Billa" in tune with the present trends. Two popular songs in the old "Billa" --'My name is Billa' and "Vethalayai Potendi'—are remixed. Music director Yuvan Shankar Raja has already completed his work, it is said.