MUMBAI: Boney Kapoor has signed on Salman Khan to play the lead in his next production to be directed by southern dancing star Prabhu Deva.

Salman will star in the film, a remake of director Puri Jagannadh’s Telugu film Pokkiri, which starred Mahesh Babu in the lead role. The film was a money-spinner in Andhra Pradesh, breaking last seven decades’ box-office records, according to Kapoor.

A Tamil version, Pokkiri, also directed by Prabhu Deva, has been recently released. The film stars Vijay and Asin in the lead roles.

“I have signed Salman Khan to play the role, which Mahesh Babu played in the original. A new girl will star opposite him and the film will go on the floors in May or June 2007. The original Telugu version is still the number one film in Andhra Pradesh for collecting Rs 500 million (Rs 50 crore) till date. Even the Tamil version, directed by Prabhu Deva and released two weeks ago, has been rated a success. I have not yet finalised the title but it will be the costliest film I have ever made,” says Kapoor, adding that the film will be shot exclusively in Mumbai.