We were fascinated by the folklore Vikram Betaal, reveal directors Pushkar and Gayathri

Following Brahmastra Part One: Shiva (2022), the next Hindi film that is expected to bring audiences back to the theatres in large numbers is the Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan-starrer Vikram Vedha (2022). 

The film is directed by Pushkar and Gayathri and is the official Hindi remake of their own Tamil hit of the same name released in 2017, which starred R Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi. 

The two filmmakers have now revealed how they thought of the story idea based on the Indian folktale, Vikram Betaal. 

Pushkar and Gayathri said in a joint statement, “The core of Vikram Vedha’s story is inspired by the famous folklore of Vikram Betaal. As children, we both grew up listening to the stories of Vikram aur Betaal, and every time it would leave us thinking, pondering over the many takeaways their tales had. The treatment of the film draws references from these legends, where every time the two characters face-off, they are at a crossroad of a puzzling situation.” 

Adding about the reason for adapting this story, they said, “We were fascinated with the dynamics shared by Vikram Betaal and so when we started writing the story of our film, we adapted that nostalgia into the characters of Vikram and Vedha. In the film, Vikram and Vedha are their own beings, and the premise is set against the action-thriller backdrop.” 

Vikram Vedha is the story of a cop known for being an encounter specialist who is hell bent on arresting a dreaded criminal. The cop, Vikram (Khan), and the police department are taken aback when the wanted criminal Vedha (Hrithik) surrenders on his own. 

Produced by Bhushan Kumar, S Sashikanth and Reliance Entertainment, Vikram Vedha is due to be released in theatres on 30 September.