After playing a hopeless romantic in Remo and a blue-collared worker in Velaikkaran, actor Sivakarthikeyan has confirmed that he will star in a science fiction film later this year with director Ravi Kumar, known for helming the science fiction comedy Indru Netru Naalai.

Speaking at a public event in Coimbatore last month, Sivakarthikeyan confirmed the news. “It is true that I’m doing a science fiction film and we will make sure it will appeal to all kinds of audiences.”

The latest update is that Rakul Preet Singh, last seen in Karthi’s Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru, has been signed as the female lead. This will mark her first-time collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan. But neither the makers nor Rakul have officially confirmed the reports.

According to industry sources, director Ravi Kumar has been working on the film’s pre-production for over a year now. He hopes to commence shooting from summer this year and wrap up the project by the year-end.

There were rumours at one point that the project was shelved. During the promotions of Velaikkaran, Sivakarthikeyan told reporters: “The delay in commencement is due to exhaustive research work for the project. I told Ravi that he can go work on another film and come back when I’m done with all my existing commitments. But he insisted that he will work on the pre-production and keep everything ready by the time I’m ready to join.”

The project is slated to go on the floors from June or July. It has already been confirmed that the film will have music by double Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman.

Siva is currently shooting for a rural-based comedy entertainer Seemaraja with director Ponram, who had earlier directed Rajini Murugan and Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam. This project also stars Samantha Akkineni, who specially learnt silambam to essay her role. Rakul, on the other hand, is expected to join the sets of the Suriya-Selvaraghavan film from March.

(Content provided by Digital Native)