Veteran Malayalam director Priyadarshan is back, refreshed from a full-fledged Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy, and is gearing up for an exciting year with two new Hindi films. First on the slate is the Hindi remake of the Mohanlal blockbuster ‘Oppam’.

Saif Ali Khan, Bobby Deol, and Samudrakani are set to star in the lead roles, with filming scheduled to begin next month. "We have made certain changes to the Malayalam version to suit a wider audience, but the essence of the film remains the same. Khan will be stepping into Mohanlal's role," said Priyadarshan.

The celebrated director, a three-time National Award winner, is eagerly anticipating this project.

Priyadarshan's Ayurvedic therapy is an annual tradition for him, though this time it followed a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "I’m getting old, and my target is to reach 100 films. The upcoming film with Khan will be my 97th. The 98th film is also ready and will feature Akshay Kumar, planned for the end of the year," he shared.

Looking ahead, Priyadarshan has grand plans for his 100th film, which he intends to create with long-time collaborator Mohanlal. "We've been planning this for a while. While there's nothing concrete yet on what kind of film it will be, one thing is certain: my 100th film will be with Lal," he revealed.

At 67, Priyadarshan, fondly known as Priyan, continues to leave a significant mark on the film industry. He made his debut with the slapstick Malayalam comedy 'Poochekoru Mukuthi’ in 1984 and has since delivered numerous blockbusters, particularly with Mohanlal. As he looks forward to his milestone 100th film, he prefers to keep the details under wraps for now. IANS