But no, it is not a remake of Ekta Kapoor’s hit The Dirty Picture, and it will not have Nikitha Thukral in the lead, as has been rumoured.

Producer Venkatappa has signed on Pakistani actor Veena Malik to essay the role of Silk Smitha in his film titled Dirty Picture: Silk Sakkath Maga. To be directed by Trishul (of Baba fame) and starring Venkatappa’s son Akshay in the lead, the film aims to be a more realistic take on the life of the late actor.

So has he procured the remake rights from Ekta? “There’s no question of acquiring any rights. When The Dirty Picture was made, the makers claimed that the film was not about Silk Smitha, but we all know it is. Ekta did not get the rights to make a film on Silk from the late actor’s family. So why should I pay her to make a film on Silk, when we can have a better take on the subject. Silk has done films in Kannada with Shankar Nag and Vishnuvardhan, among others. I want to make a better film than The Dirty Picture,” says Venkatappa.

The film, he adds, will be high on glamour and the producer claims to have approached actors Nikitha Thukral, Charmme and Pooja Gandhi for the role. “But they all refused fearing that the film would be too bold,” he says. That is when Veena was approached. “When we spoke to her, even before discussing her remuneration, Veena asked for the script. After reading it, she claimed that she was moved by the climax and immediately agreed to do the film,” says Venkatappa, adding that the actor has been signed up for a handsome pay packet. It is rumoured that Veena’s pay package is to the tune of `85 lakh, her remuneration and charges for accommodation and security included.

When BT contacted Veena, the actor was getting ready for a trip to Australia, but took time out to confirm the news. “ Yes, I am doing a Kannada film based on the life of Silk Smitha. I am not aware of any other actor having been approached for the project. I will join the sets on May 12. I always wanted to have a career in the south too, and now it has happened,”she says.