Director Bakkiyaraj Kannan, who made his directorial debut with Sivakarthikeyan starrer Remo, totally went off the radar post the film’s release. Nearly three years after the release of Remo, reports have emerged that Bakkiyaraj is all set to commence work on his next project which will most likely feature Karthi in the titular role. The yet-untitled film is rumoured to be bankrolled by SR Prabhu under the banner Dream Warrior Pictures. The makers are said to currently on the lookout for the rest of the cast and crew. If everything goes as planned, the project is expected to go on the floors from the second half of this year.
Having recently completed shooting for Dev, Karthi has now shifted his focus on his next project with director Lokesh Kanagaraj. Apparently, after being impressed by Maanagaram, it was Karthi who reached out to Lokesh and expressed his interest to work with him. Lokesh Kanagaraj made a splash with Maanagaram, a thriller set in Chennai, which had won over audiences and critics alike. Even before the film could complete its theatrical run, Lokesh was committed to do another film for Dream Warrior Pictures, the makers of Maanagaram and it was believed that he will team up with Karthi. A year after this report made the headlines; the project was officially launched in December 2018.
The regular shooting of Karthi's 18 began earlier this month in Tenkasi. Talking to Times of India, Lokesh had said: “Karthi does have a romantic interest in this film, but this character will not be on screen. However, audiences will not feel the absence of the heroine. It is an out-and-out action thriller, and will be intense and emotional.” He also went on to add that 70 percent of the film will be shot in and around Chennai and Tirunelveli. The project also stars Narain, Dheena and George Mariyan in important roles. Sam CS has been roped in to compose music.