Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar are in the race to star in the remake of Ajith's "Mankatha".

Studio Green, in association with a leading Bollywood production house, is producing the forthcoming movie.

"If our sources are to be believed, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar are the top contenders. Studio Green, the production house behind big-budget Tamil films such as Paruthiveeran, Singam and Madras, will produce the remake," according to Bangalore Mirror. 

Mankatha
A picture from Ajith's "Mankatha".IB Times India

Studio Green has sealed a deal with a Bollywood production house. It is said that since Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan have donned the role of cops earlier, the makers opted for their names.

Randeep Hooda, who had shared screen space with Salman Khan in "Kick", is considered for the role played by Arjun Sarja. The makers feel that Salman-Hooda combination might work again. Other details are being worked out.

It is believed that Venkat Prabhu, the creator of the original, would be directing the Hindi version. But sources have denied it, saying he is busy in Kollywood with few movies.

"Mankatha" was produced by Dhayanidhi Alagiri and features Ajith, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Premji, Ashwin, Lakshmi Rai, Vaibhav and Mahat Raghavendra in key roles. It was a landmark movie in Ajtih's career.

The story came as a surprise to the audience as it was something unusual for Tamil audience to see the main hero Ajith in a completely negative role. Conventionally, stars have played good-at-heart cops, even if corrupt occasionally.

"Mankatha" was about a gang stealing ₹500 crore betting money and its aftermath. 

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