Having directed superstar Rajinikanth in two back-to-back films - Kabali and Kaala - early on in his career, Pa Ranjith is now set to make his Bollywood debut. The young director will be collaborating with Shareen and Kishor of Namah Pictures for a Bollywood film.
Speaking to TNM, Pa Ranjith said that the news was true. While it is known that it will be a period film, the cast is yet to be decided. Asked if rumours doing the rounds that Aamir Khan was going to star in it were true, Ranjith said, "No. The hero hasn't been decided yet."
Namah Pictures, founded by Shareen Mantri Kedia and Kishor Arora, produced the critically acclaimed feature, Beyond the Clouds (2018), directed by the Oscar-nominated Majid Majidi. Starring Ishaan Khatter, Malavika Mohanan, Goutam Ghose and GV Sharada, the film followed the story of two estranged siblings, Amir and Tara.
Director Pa Ranjith, well-known for presenting his cinema interlaced with strong political and social ideologies, has four films to his credit - Attakathi, Madras, Kabali and Kaala.
His production house, Neelam Productions, currently has director Maari Selvaraj’s debut feature, Pariyerum Perumal, up for release. Filmmaker Malini Jeevarathinam’s Ladies and Gentlewomen was also produced by Neelam Productions.
In June this year, director Pa Ranjith met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in an unprecedented meeting. Sharing a picture of the two men shaking hands on Twitter, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “I met film director PA Ranjith the man behind blockbuster films like Madras, Kabali and Kaala and actor Kalaiyarasan, in Delhi yesterday. We talked about politics, films and society. I enjoyed the interaction and look forward to continuing our dialogue.”
Ranjith also shares good camaraderie with Gujarath MLA and activist Jignesh Mevani. After having watched his Kaala, Mevani took to Twitter to say, “Watched Kala yesterday and felt that I am also a Kala. Very good film. Our brother @beemji (also director of Kabali) has come up with one more very good film challenging the established order in many subtle yet entertaining way. Proud of Pa. Ranjith. (sic)”