MUMBAI: Mukesh Khanna, better known as television’s Shaktimaan, is producing a Bhojpuri film titled Saugandh, inspired by the Hindi film of the same name he produced in the 1990s.

Says Khanna, “I am planning to make two films in Bhojpuri. The first will be a remake of my 1991 Hindi film Saugandh; which introduced Akshay Kumar. I am attached to this film as it brought me recognition within the industry. Iqbal Durrani, who wrote the original, is writing the script this time too.”

The theme of the film was originally inspired by a Pakistani movie. Later, says Khanna, a Punjabi film was made on the same subject. “We are making minor changes. I wanted Raj N Sippy to direct it, but as he is busy, I have handed the directorial reigns to Sunil Prasad. I will be playing the role of ‘Chaudhary Sarang’ in this version too. Krishna Abhishek will be playing the role essayed by Akshay Kumar in the Hindi version. Rati Agnihotri is also likely to play a role in the film. We are signing other actors and technicians currently, and the film will be launched by the end of March or by the first week of April. I am planning to shoot the entire film in Gujarat in one schedule.”