Shriya Saran moves to Mollywood

Shriya Saran has turned a strategist. In a move that is being looked upon as a carefully planned one, the actress has chosen to do a big Malayalam film.

She will play the lead along with megastar Mammootty and Prithviraj in Pokkiri Raja, an action-packed masala entertainer directed by Vysakh. Mammootty and Prithviraj play brothers pitted against each other in the film.

Confirming the news, Shriya said, “Yes, I’m doing the film in Malayalam with Mammootty and Prithviraj. My role is the pivot around which the film revolves and it is meaty. I can’t wish for a better launch in Malayalam.” The actress has given dates from January 10 to February 15 for the film which will be shot in Kochi and Pollachi. Pokkiri Raja, which has already triggered huge expectations, is expected to release on Vishu, which falls on April 14, 2010. The grapevine has it that she is being paid a whopping amount to do the Malayalam film, the highest ever paid to an actress in Kerala.

Meanwhile, Shriya has rubbished reports that she is doing a Tamil film with Srikanth. Says Shriya, “I haven’t signed any new films in Tamil. At the moment, I have Jaggubhai and Kutty, which are ready for release in January. I have to complete Chikku Bukku with Arya.” Meanwhile, the buzz is that she is in talks with a popular production house to do a film with Jeeva, which is to be directed by debutant Gokul.