Latest news with #VadaChennai
India Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Dhanush confirms Vada Chennai 2 filming to begin next year
Dhanush, who has consistently delivered at least two releases a year while balancing multiple projects as both an actor and director, has now confirmed the long-awaited sequel to his 2018 gangster drama 'Vada Chennai'. Putting an end to persistent rumours about the project being shelved, the actor officially announced that 'Vada Chennai 2', directed by Vetrimaaran, will go on floors next the audio launch of his upcoming film 'Kubera', Dhanush addressed the fan demand for a sequel and said, "You have been asking for this since 2018, right? Next year." The short clip of his statement has gone viral on social media, with fans erupting in joy. The video captures loud cheers from the audience, underlining the massive anticipation surrounding the Vetrimaaran had also earlier confirmed that production of 'Vada Chennai 2' will begin after he wraps up Suriya's 'Vaadivaasal'. The first part, 'Vada Chennai', is a gritty gangster drama that centres on Anbu, a young carrom board player who inadvertently gets drawn into the criminal underworld and politics of North Chennai. The film ends on a cliffhanger, opening up multiple narrative threads for the sequel. It stars Andrea Jeremiah, Aishwarya Rajesh, Kishore, Daniel Balaji, Samuthirakani, and both Dhanush and Vetrimaaran confirming the project, the actor's busy lineup raises questions about the exact production timeline. Dhanush is awaiting the release of 'Idly Kadai', directed by himself, and 'Tere Ishq Mein' with Anand L these, the actor also announced 'D56' with Mari Selvaraj, an Ilaiyaraaja biopic directed by Arun Matheswaran, and a Hindi-language biopic on Abdul Kalam directed by Om the trailer for Kubera: Meanwhile, 'Kubera', directed by 'Fidaa' filmmaker Sekhar Kammula and starring Dhanush alongside Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, and Jim Sarbh, is set to release on June Watch
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
'If you think you can destroy me, you are foolish': Kuberaa star Dhanush warns detractors
Dhanush's upcoming film Kuberaa is set to release on June 20th and a grand audio launch took place in Chennai over the weekend. Speaking at the event, Dhanush seemed to give a reply to all those who had been trolling him and talking negatively about him. Dressed in a white dhoti and short and sporting a disarming smile, the National Award-winner didn't mince words when he got up on stage to address the audience. 'You can spread as many rumours as you want about me; spread any negative news about me. Each time a movie of mine releases, there's a negative campaign against me one-and-a-half months before that. But you won't be able to do anything as my fans are my strong pillars of support. My fans have been with me for 23 years – they are my friends. If you think you can spread false rumours about me and try to destroy me, there's no bigger foolishness than that. You can't even move a brick,' he emphasised to his fans who replied with loud applause and whistles. The Karnan star went to say, 'No matter who you are, life turns out based on how you think. What should come to you will come to you and no one can take that away from you. Be happy. Happiness is a choice and it's inside you. There has been a time when I struggled to get one meal a day and today, I am in a good place. But I am happy in whichever state I am because I've never looked for happiness outside. I've looked for happiness inside me. There's nothing more important than peace and happiness in life. In spite of so many years and my ups and downs, you have all been with me throughout my journey and I feel blessed and grateful.' Dhanush's speech at the event went viral as many netizens felt he was throwing shade at Nayanthara who had put a post on her social media attacking the actor. The Tamil star, who has stopped giving media interviews, has been vocal at various events addressing issues that are linked to him. Coming to Kuberaa, it is said to be made on a budget of ₹120 crore and is directed byTelugu director Sekhar Kammula. The movie also features Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, and Sayaji Shinde, and has music by Devi Sri Prasad. Dhanush also did a little jig at the audio launch to the delight of his fans. The Vada Chennai star surprised fans by giving them an update about the film. He said his movie – Vada Chennai 2 - with Vetri Maaran will go on floors in 2026. His ex-wife Aishwarya Rajinikanth was also present at the audio launch with their kids, as was his sister and nephew, Pavish, whom Dhanush launched in his film, Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam, this year.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The Hindu Huddle 2025: ‘Every film is political,' remarks Vetrimaaran
Tamil filmmaker Vetrimaaran, known for dealing with political themes and social commentary in his films, said cinema cannot escape politics. Speaking at The Huddle by The Hindu, Vetrimaaran opined every film makes a political statement, directly or indirectly. 'Man is a political animal. The way you dress, talk, or what you read has politics in it. Every film is political,' said the filmmaker, during his conversation with film critic Baradwaj Rangan in a session titled 'Let's Get Gritty: Indigenous Cinema in a Mainstream Environment. 'An overtly political movie isn't as political as the one that subtly insinuates politics. When you put out something openly, the average moviegoer may or may not take it because he knows what's coming at him. On the other hand, people get influenced by ideas like chauvinistic expressions of a man or the role of women in a relationship, because they don't come with a tag of being political. People accept such themes without resistance,' he explained. Vetrimaaran said he had a key takeaway from the Viduthalai films (Part 1 and Part 2), his most politically charged project. While Viduthalai Part 1 hit the screens on March 31, 2023, the second installment released on December 20, 2024. The filmmaker expressed he wished he had more to make Viduthalai Part 2. 'My biggest lesson from the project was that as a director, you shouldn't allow anyone to determine how long it will take to make your movie. I should have taken my time. Ideally, I would have liked an additional 3-4 month period to work on the project,' he confessed. While he admitted that he has no plans to continue the Viduthalai series, Vetrimaaran added that Vada Chennai is his only unfinished project yet. Vada Chennai, starring Dhanush, hit the screens in 2018. The makers had promised a sequel to the Tamil movie after it received massive critical and commercial acclaim. 'It will see the light of the day,' said Vetrimaaran. The National Award-winning filmmaker is set to collaborate with Suriya for Vaadivaasal. The movie is based on the novel by the late writer CS Chellappa. It is about Jallikattu, an ancient Tamil sport, and the taming of the bull 'Kaari' by a character named Picchi, whose father Ambulithevan was gored to death by the bull. Talking about the expectations from the project, Vetrimaaran said, 'I don't want to get caught in the entire exercise of responding to expectations. Between my last film and my next project, I am only working towards giving my 100 percent towards my work. I am not responsible for the expectations created by my movies.' Vetrimaaran also addressed the topic of the film industry giving opportunities to female technicians. 'Recently, a young girl came to my office, asking for a chance to be my assistant. She told me she was from Coimbatore but was living with her friends in Chennai. Around two decades ago, I was in a similar situation. I can see a lot of young girls coming up with unique ideas. If these stories were told by men, they would be fake.' The Hindu Huddle 2025 is presented by Sami-Sabinsa Group Co-powered by: Government of Karnataka, Government of Telangana Associate Partners: ONGC, Presidency University, TAFE, Akshayakalpa Organic Energy Partner : Indian Oil Corporation Limited Realty partner: Casagrand Knowledge partner: Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham State partner: Meghalaya tourism and Haryana government Luxury car partner: Toyota Radio partner: Radio City Gift partner: Anand Prakash Broadcast partner: Times Now Outdoor media partner: Signpost India
New Indian Express
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Mathimaaran Pugazhendhi: My desire to explore the seascape fulfilled in Mandaadi
Tamil cinema's fascination with coastal life has been evident since MG Ramachandran's 1964 film Padagotti . Filmmaker Mathimaaran Pugazhendhi's Mandaadi has been the latest to join this list. However, the director says that the film talks about a completely different aspect of that life. " Mandaadi will focus on the sport peculiar to the 100-kilometre stretch of the Tamil Nadu coastline. I hail from Cuddalore and I love the ocean. So it has been my longtime desire to explore the seascape. I was on the lookout for something unexplored, and that was when my friend introduced me to a sailing boat race. Mandaadi is the leader of a fishing expedition team. That person has expertise in studying the ocean currents and the direction of wind and fish. The game is played once a year, mostly during festivals, where six-member teams compete against each other," he says. Having been mentored by Vetri Maaran, Mathimaaran says it wouldn't be entirely wrong to draw parallels between Mandaadi and Vada Chennai , which too ties a sport (carrom board) to the lives of the North Chennai inhabitants. "This sport also helps the fisherman with their livelihood. During the race, the participants should remove the engine from their boats. So, this sport will train the fishermen to return to the shore using their skill when the engine malfunctions or the fuel runs out in some extraordinary situations," he reveals. Mathimaaran felt Soori was the perfect fit for the role and it made his casting job easier. "I want an actor with a rustic look. Also, Soori has been in great shape in recent years. So I find Soori perfectly fits the bill, " He remarks. Mathimaaran clarifies that Mandaadi will not adhere to a sports drama template, which typically moves from one game to another and eventually to an all-important final match in the climax. "Though you will witness lots of the game, the film is not just about that. I have planned a non-linear narration tying this game to everyone's lives and how the dynamics within them change because of this game. The drama part in the sports-drama is about a person's redemption and a second chance at life. Mandaadi is as much a story where human emotions are at play as it is a story about a sailing game," he shares. The director says the six-month-long pre-production, which is currently underway, will help him with the technical challenges of shooting a film that is predominantly set in the ocean. "Your expertise with lens, shot and angles on the land will be of no use on the ocean. An angle change on the land could be done in 30 seconds, it may take hours on the ocean. I have planned to film in Ramanathapuram, Pudukottai, and Thanjavur. It's going to be a huge task, but I have immense faith in my skilled team of technicians," he says. Apart from Soori, the film has Mahima Nambiar playing the female lead, with actors Sathyaraj, Achyuth Kumar, Sachana Namidass, and Ravindra Vijay in central roles. The film's technical crew comprises composer GV Prakash, cinematographer SR Kathir, editor Pradeep E Ragav and stunt choreographer Peter Hein. Mandaadi , bankrolled by Elred Kumar's RS Infotainment, has filmmaker Vetrimaaran as the creative producer.
