Differences have cropped up between producer Dil Raju and director C Prem Kumar who are remaking the hit Tamil film 96 in Telugu, starring Sharwanand and Samantha Akkineni. The differences in opinion are over choice of music director and changes in script.
According to India Today, a source said, “The director wants to rope in music director Govind Vasantha who gave music for the Tamil version, but Dil Raju is opposed to it. He has instead suggested a top music director’s name which Prem is not agreeing to.” A member of the popular band Thaikkudam Bridge, Govind Vasantha had worked as a music arranger before composing music for 96. His songs for the movie, especially ‘Kaadhale Kaadhale’ and ‘The Life of Ram’ were immensely appreciated. Vasantha also scored music for Seethakaathi.
Also, Dil Raju wanted changes made to the original script in order to suit the taste of the Telugu viewers, which Prem Kumar didn’t agree to. “The director wants the remake to be exactly like the original version and doesn’t want to change anything,” added the source.
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Reports emerged last month that changes were made to the script. However, the director was quick to deny this. “There are rumours that the Telugu remake will be about their love story from college days. But this is not true. The beauty and life of the script are in its school days love. So there are no changes in the core plot of the script, but a few small changes have been made… Even as Dil Raju sir bought the remake rights, we decided to just replicate the same theme with few a nuanced changes to suit the Telugu audience.”
The movie is also being remade in Kannada in with Bhavana and Ganesh playing the lead roles. The Kannada remake is titled 99 as opposed to 96, and directed by Preetam Gubbi.