After Kochadaiiyaan, filmmaker Soundarya Rajinikanth is gearing up for the release of VIP 2, a sequel to 2014 blockbuster VIP, starring Dhanush in the lead. Soundarya has teamed up with Dhanush for the first time in the project, which is slated for release in August. It also stars Kajol in a comeback role to Kollywood after two decades.
In an interview to Times of India, Soundarya has revealed that the project chose her and not the other way around.
“Actually, VIP 2 chose me. And I'm very happy it did. My first film was done using motion-capture, a new technology. Before this film came to me, I was working on Nilavakku Enmel Ennadi Kobbam (NEEK), a rom-com with newcomers. But, for some reason, that didn't take off. I strongly believe that a project has its own fate. One thing led to another. At that point, Dhanush sir was shooting for Kodi, and he had finished writing the first draft of VIP 2. So, the topic came up and I loved the script. When I spoke about it to Thanu uncle, he was more than happy, and that's how this film happened,” she told ToI.
She also said that she was given full freedom to call shots on the project, despite the VIP franchise being a star vehicle and riding on high expectations.
“Dhanush sir is a very creative person. He is a lyricist, a producer, a director... But I was given full freedom to create the world I was supposed to for this film. And on the floor, too, at no point did he make me feel like he was taking the decisions. I don't think he gave me the feeling of being a shadow director. The visuals that you saw, I can proudly say, are all what has come from here (taps her head). I think all the actors who I worked with — Kani anna (Samuthirakani), Kajol ma'am, Vivekh sir — they are all seniors in the industry, but respected me as a director. I have to thank Thanu sir also, as I don't think you can get a better producer than him,” she said.
The trailer for the Dhanush-Amala Paul-Kajol starrer was released in June to much fanfare. In the film, Dhanush reprises his role of Raghuvaran from VIP, and Kajol is pitted against him.
While VIP 2 is yet to be released, Dhanush has announced that there will be two more parts to the franchise. "It took me three years to write the sequel to VIP, and the process was challenging. It was while shooting for Kodi I struck upon an idea to make VIP 2. The franchise will continue. There will be part 3 and 4," Dhanush told IANS.