It was already reported that Mani Ratnam’s next will be a multi-starrer. The untitled film will star Vijay Sethupathi, Simbu, Fahadh Faasil, Jyothika and Aishwarya Rajesh in lead roles. The latest update is that Simbu has begun working on the project and is currently undergoing an acting workshop in preparation for his role.
On Tuesday, a picture featuring Simbu and Mani Ratnam leaked online and went viral. After the debacle of Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan, Simbu has pinned all his hopes on this project. Simbu will shed weight and sport a new look for this project which will see him share screen space with a bevy of actors for the first time. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the project will be officially launched in January 2018 and will start rolling from February.
A source from the film’s unit said that the Roja filmmaker is eyeing 2018 summer release.
“After an official launch in January next year, the principal shooting will begin from February. The first schedule will be shot in Chennai. Mani sir might shoot a few scenes in January itself but the full-fledged shooting will happen in February. The supporting cast is in the process of being finalised,” a source from the film’s unit said. The film will be produced by Madras Talkies, and double Oscar-winner A R Rahman has been roped in compose the music. The cinematographer will once again be Santosh Sivan. This will be their sixth collaboration. The source confirmed the film will be an action-thriller and will be a departure from the filmmaker’s usual style of films. Ratnam has pinned high hopes on this project following the debacle of Kaatru Veliyidai, which sank without a trace at the box-office.
There are rumours that the film also stars senior actors Prakash Raj and Jayasudha, who have collaborated on several occasions. Apparently, they’ll be seen playing a pair and Arvind Swami, Fahadh and Simbu will be seen as their sons. It has also been confirmed that Vijay Sethupathi will be seen in a special role as a cop.