Ten years of Osthe: Interesting facts about the film

Osthe, directed by Dharani is the remake of the Bollywood blockbuster Dabangg that has Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead. The Tamil version has an ensemble cast that includes Silambarasan, Richa Gangopadhyay, Sonu Sood, Jithan Ramesh, Santhanam, VTV Ganesh, Nassar and Revathi. Music for the film is by Thaman with cinematography by Gopinath and editing by VT Vijayan.

Dharani, who had predominantly roped in Vidyasagar to score the music for his films, opted for Thaman for the film, marking their first collaboration. The album that comprised five songs – Kalasala, Pondaati, Osthe Manamey, Unnale Unnale and Neduvaali- turned out to be a hit with Kalasala billed as the Tamil equivalent of Munni Badnaam Hui- becoming a chartbuster. The songs were lauded for their mass appeal.

It is said that STR began a fitness routine for his character as Inspector ‘Osthe’ Velan. STR stated that he didn’t want to imitate Salman Khan from the original and that he tried to bring in his own touch to the character. Osthe came after STR’s suave character in Gautham Menon’s Vinnaithaandhi Varuvaaya and the transformation took everyone by surprise.

Richa Gangopadhyay, who made her Tamil debut with Mayakkam Enna, was roped in to play the leading lady. Richa was well appreciated for her performance in the film. Osthe marked her last film in Tamil and in 2013, she quit her acting career to focus on a career in business management. It is said that Sonakshi Sinha, who played the female lead in the original, was also considered for the remake.

Mallika Sherawat, who shook a leg with Silambarasan in the song, stunned the audience with her brilliant moves. Before Mallika, we hear that Shriya Saran, Zarine Khan and many others too were approached for the item number. STR had revealed in an interview that Mallika is a great performer in her own right and that she carried off the kuthu steps extremely well.