In the early 2000s, the story of Prof Mohan Kumar aka
Cyanide Mohan
, the serial killer who murdered 20 women with anti-pregnancy pills laced with cyanide, left the country shell-shocked. Between 2003 to 2009, 20 women were found dead in public toilets at bus stands across six towns in southern Karnataka. All victims were unmarried women who were dressed in what seemed like their wedding sarees, without a single piece of jewellery on them. National Award winner
Rajesh Touchriver’s next film,
Cyanide will recreate this murderous saga on the big screen. “The idea is to show people how a criminal’s mind works. I did a lot of research before penning the story. While his modus operandi is definitely spine-chilling, the tale of how he was caught eventually is quite fascinating. That is why we’re making the film in
Telugu
, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi.”
Priyamani plays the cop, an IG rank investigation officer, who cracks the case. “I said yes as soon as I heard the script. Atrocities against women are on the rise in our country and this is a subject close to my heart. We begin shoot for the film in January so I have ample time to prep for my character,” she says.
Interestingly, Priyamani will only headline the film’s south Indian versions.
Yashpal Sharma will play the lead in the Hindi version. “Yes, there will be a massive difference in how the subject comes across when a woman is playing the lead as opposed to a man. But I have a good reason for casting Yashpal for the Hindi version, it’ll be clear once the film releases,” says Rajesh.
As for who plays Cyanide Mohan, that’s a secret Rajesh isn’t ready to reveal. “Let’s just say a very established Bollywood and Marathi actor will play him,” says the director, signing off.
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