Vipul to opt for a Diwali release, although a big franchise film Gol Maal 3 was already scheduled.

After Blue last Diwali you would think Akshay Kumar would stay away from Diwali releases. In fact that is what Vipul had presumed and was infact planning an Eid or a post-Diwali release for Action Replay starring Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

But a call from Akshay from London changed Vipul’s plans. Akshay, who is a co-producer on Action Replay, asked Vipul to opt for a Diwali release, although a big franchise film Gol Maal 3 was already scheduled.

Says Vipul, “You’d be surprised to know in spite of Blue last Diwali Akshay wants us to go ahead with Action Replay this Diwali. Let’s not forget, Akshay’s Garam Masala had also released for Diwali and it was a big hit.

Apparently Akshay wants a Diwali release because he feels a fun frothy goofy film like Action Replay has great festive value, and bad omen be damned.

Says Vipul, “We’re hoping for both Gol Maal 3 and Action Replay to do well. If only one film can succeed,may the best one win. And may we be the best.

Vipul is also planning a collaboration with Tamil super-director Gautham Menon who directed the original Tamil version of Kakha Kakha starring Suriya that Vipul is now remaking with John Abraham with Nishikant Kamat as director.

Throughout the re-scripting of the original Tamil into Hindi Vipul kept Gautham in the loop about the changes.

“We’ve made drastic changes in the script from the original. Kakha Kakha is a seven-year old film.The cop played by John will be completely different from Suriya in the original. The police force and the law and order situation have changed. We’ve altered the screenplay completely. While buying the remake rights we had stipulated that the changes would be made. So legally or ethically we did not need to keep Gautham in the loop.

However Vipul felt it was only decent to inform the original about the changes. During these telephonic conversations between Vipul Shah and Gautham Menon Shah realized Gautham was just the kind of director who could bring a refreshing new idion to the commercial Hindi cinema. Says Vipul, “I’m definitely going to work with Gautham.