Among the notable directorial debuts in Tamil cinema this year, Dhanush deserves to be in the top five spots as he won hearts with a heartwarming story of the self-exploration of a 60-year-old in Power Paandi. The film featured Raj Kiran in the titular role apart from Prasanna and Revathy in pivotal roles. Upon release, the film was very well received by critics and audiences alike and did reasonably well at the box-office too. 

There were also rumours that a sequel is being planned and Dhanush even confirmed it in some of his interviews. While most expected the sequel will be made next year, Dhanush has other plans as he will return to direction soon after wrapping up Maari 2. According to reliable sources, he will make an intense drama with a pre-independence connect as his next directorial, to be bankrolled by Sri Thenandal Studios. It is slated to roll in August 2018. 

Dhanush is getting ready to commence work on Maari 2, which was supposed to materialise much earlier but due to Dhanush’s multiple commitments, including his directorial project Power Paandi, the film had to be pushed. In the film, Dhanush played a dhoti-clad, moustache twirling local rowdy and he will return in the same getup for the sequel, which will be bankrolled by Wunderbar Films. Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas, who has worked in films such as Oru Mexican Aparatha and Godha and recently in Dhanush’s maiden Malayalam production Tharanga, has been roped in to play the baddie in the film, which will be made as a bilingual in Tamil and Telugu.  

The principal shooting is expected to start from early next year. Dhanush is currently shooting for Vetrimaaran’s Vada Chennai, and going by some leaked stills from the film’s shoot, he’s seen sporting a thick beard for his portion. The film chronicles three decades in the life of a gangster, played by Dhanush, from North Madras. The project, which will be made as a trilogy, marks Dhanush’s third collaboration with Vetrimaaran after Pollathavan and Aadukalam.