There are very fresh gossips in the industry about the remake of The Dirty Picture, the film made on the life of the late sex siren Silk Smitha.

Earlier, there was news that Nikitha Thukral will play the lead role in the remake of Ekta Kapoor’s hit The Dirty Picture, but this is not true.

Now, reports have said that filmmaker Venkatappa has signed on Pak actress Veena Malik for the role of Silk Smitha in his film titled Dirty Picture: Silk Sakkath Maga. The film would be directed by Trishul (of Baba fame) and starring Venkatappa’s son Akshay in the lead, the film is expected to be a more realistic take on the life of the late actor.

When asked to the filmmaker that has he procured the remake rights from Ekta? He said, “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.”

He told media that the film will be high on glamour and he added that he approached to actress like Nikitha Thukral, Charmme and Pooja Gandhi for the role, but they refused to do so. He said, “But they all refused fearing that the film would be too bold.”

Venkatappa said, “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.”

Some sources have said that Veena Mailk would get around Rs 85 lakh package for the role, including her remuneration and charges for accommodation and security.

On the other hand, Veena Mailk is off to Australia tour, her talk to media, she said, “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.”