Ashutosh Gowariker's next based on a play by Paresh Rawal

Ashutosh Gowariker, whose last directorial Mohenjo Daro fell flat at the box office, is set to start his next film. However, instead of wielding the megaphone for the same, he will just produce it under his production house. If reports are to be believed, the film is expected to mount the shooting floor by May.

The latest we hear that the movie is an adaptation of Paresh Rawal’s popular play Dear Father. Interestingly, the same play is also being adapted into a Marathi film called Aapla Manus. Starring veteran actor Nana Patekar in the lead role, the movie is being bankrolled by superstar Ajay Devgn.

While casting for other important characters is going on, Paresh Rawal is confirmed to play the double role in the Hindi version of the film. Satish Rajwade, who is helming the Marathi film, will also call the shots for the Hindi version.

Rawal confirmed the news to an Indian tabloid, saying, “It was originally a Marathi play called Katkon Trikon. I did the Gujarati version. Ashutosh saw it and told me he wanted to turn it into a film. The project is now taking shape and we plan to go on the floors by May. The Marathi play happened a long time ago but the Gujarati and Hindi versions are still being staged. We have completed more than 500 shows.”