Filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon is on the verge of completing his spy thriller Dhruva Natchathiram with Vikram. The project which was originally slated to release earlier this year in August, has now been confirmed to hit the screens in April 2018, reliable sources have confirmed.
It has also been learnt that the film, which stars Vikram in the role of an international spy, will be made as a trilogy and each part will release over the course of next three years. While an official announcement regarding the film being a trilogy is awaited from the makers, sources close to Gautham have validated the reports and have confirmed that Gautham already has the storyline ready for the next two parts.
“Gautham wanted to do a film along the lines of The Bourne series, in a way it’d suit Indian sensibilities. Dhruva Natchathiram was always planned as a franchise but it wasn’t decided if it will have three parts or more. Impressed and confident with how the film has shaped so far, Gautham decided to go ahead with the trilogy idea and has also convinced Vikram to come on board,” a source said.
The film’s talkie portion should be completed by next month. The next four months will be spent on post-production and the film will release as planned in April next year. The film was shot in key locations outside India, especially in Europe and the US. After shooting a song in Turkey for Achcham Yenbathu Madamaiyada, Menon wanted to return to the country to shoot some important portions in Dhruva Natchathiram. However, the crew, in September was denied entry into the country despite having all the legit papers.
In a Facebook post, Menon wrote: “My film crew, stuck at Turkey border. On the road. More than 24 hours now. Officials not letting us in with equipment in spite of legit papers. Crew traveling from Georgia to Istanbul by road. Carrying camera and costumes. Stuck now! At the border. Unable to meet officials demands. Turkey, we are looking forward to film in your beautiful country. If anybody that matters is reading this, please HELP. Worried for my crew.” The team was relieved when help came via Turkish Airlines who agreed to fly the crew.
Tipped to be the biggest film in Gautham Menon’s career, the film also stars Aishwarya Rajesh and Ritu Varma as the leading ladies. Actor-filmmaker Parthiepan has been confirmed to play a pivotal role. The makers have kept the identity of the film’s antagonist a secret as they have roped in someone very unusual for the role. Actresses Radikaa Sarath Kumar and Simran play pivotal roles in the film, which has music by Harris Jayaraj.