After impressing critics and audiences alike with Thani Oruvan, director Mohan Raja has returned with Velaikkaran, which hit the screens on Friday.
The film stars Sivakarthikeyan in the titular role along with Fahadh Faasil and Nayanthara. It marks the first collaboration between Siva and Raja, who has teamed up with Nayanthara for the second time.
On working with the Maya actor, Raja said in a group interaction on Thursday: “She’s a boon to Tamil cinema and a thorough professional. It’s an honour to work with her again.”
This is also the first time Siva has teamed up with Nayanthara, who has had a terrific year with films such as Dora and Aramm to her credit.
A message-heavy drama, Velaikkaran is centered around the lives of blue-collar workers.
Raja revealed that the film addresses questions and issues that have been bothering him for over a decade. “I don't believe in directing a film for the sake of money. The film reflects several questions that have been troubling me over 20 years and I took time to qualify myself to work on it. In a way, Velaikkaran also echoes questions what people want to ask. It will address the problems faced by the working class and deal with capitalism. Had I said this in my debut or second film, audiences wouldn’t have accepted. Thani Oruvan gave me an identity,” he said.
In the film, Sivakarthikeyan plays a labourer in a factory that produces a food-based product.
Apparently, Siva will be seen crusading a fight against food adulteration. He gets double-crossed by his best friend, rumoured to be played by Fahadh Faasil, who is making his Tamil debut with the film.
Velaikkaran also stars Sneha and Prakash Raj in crucial roles. The first poster of the film was released not long ago. Amid speculations that the poster was a blatant copy of the Michael Douglas starrer Falling Down, the film earned enough attention when its teaser and the first song were released.
Anirudh Ravichander has composed the music for the film. After the runaway success of Remo for Siva and the critical and commercial acclaim for Mohan’s Thani Oruvan, it remains to be seen if Velaikkaran can continue the winning streak for both Siva and Mohan.
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