PNC to remake 3 classics in animated form

Pritish Nandy Communications (PNC) has announced that it has started work on remaking Shakti Samanta's action thriller Howrah Bridge, starring Ashok Kumar and Madhubala. The original film, shot in black and white in 1958, is a cult classic and also starred Helen in a cabaret number, K N Singh, Om Prakash, Madan Puri, Mehmood and Minoo Mumtaz.

According to an official release issued by the company to the BSE today, the film is being made as a tribute to Shakti Samanta and the animation work will be done by Florida-based Motion Pixel Corporation, with whom PNC already has a partnership deal for five animation film projects.

Following Howrah Bridge, it has also acquired the rights to make animation versions of two other Shakti Samanta films; Amar Prem, starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore, and Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Raakhee. "This is our way of reviving some of the grand old classics of Indian cinema and introducing them to the new generation of movie goers", Pritish Nandy, chairman, PNC, said.