The film was announced in late 2023 under the working titleAK63, as it is Ajith's 63rd film as lead actor, and the official title was announced in March 2024. Principal photography commenced the following May in Hyderabad along with a sporadic schedule in Spain, and wrapped by early December. The film has music composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, cinematography handled by Abinadhan Ramanujam and editing by Vijay Velukutty.
Good Bad Ugly is scheduled to release theatrically on 10 April 2025 in standard and EPIQ formats.
While filming for Nerkonda Paarvai in early 2019, director Adhik Ravichandran, who appeared in a pivotal role in the film, had met and narrated a script to lead actor Ajith Kumar, who agreed to act under his direction but wanted to wait until the producers were finalised before making an announcement.[6] In the meantime, Ajith worked on Valimai (2022) and Thunivu (2023), while Adhik finished Bagheera and Mark Antony (both 2023).[7][8] In October 2023, Suresh Chandra, Ajith's manager, confirmed that discussions were going on for Adhik to direct the actor's 63rd film, tentatively titledAK63.[9] That November, he confirmed that Adhik was still attached to the project.[10] The project was funded by Naveen Yerneni and Y. Ravi Shankar's Mythri Movie Makers, marking their first Tamil venture.[11] The company made a public announcement on 14 March 2024, with the official title Good Bad Ugly, a reference to the 1966 American film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.[12] It was also Ajith's first film since Red (2002) to have an English title.[13]
The film was made on a reported production budget of up to ₹270 crore (US$31million), and Ajith was reported to receive ₹165 crore (US$19million) as his remuneration.[1][14] The technical crew includes cinematographer Abinandhan Ramanujam, editor Vijay Velukutty, costume designer Anu Vardhan, and stunt choreographers Supreme Sundar and Kaldian Vodenchardy.[7] Adhik co-wrote the film's script along with Ravi Kandasamy and Harish Manikandan.[15] The film would be jointly produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar of T-Series Films, as a larger pact of their production deal with Mythri Movie Makers.[16]
Casting
Ajith reportedly lost kilograms of weight for his character and would sport two different looks.[17][18]Trisha Krishnan was cast as the female lead, collaborating opposite Ajith for the sixth time following Ji (2005), Kireedam (2007), Mankatha (2011), Yennai Arindhaal (2015) and Vidaamuyarchi(2025).[19]Sunil was cast in a supporting role, collaborating with Adhik for the second time after Mark Antony,[20] whilst Rahul Dev was also cast, after having previously acted with Ajith in Vedalam (2015).[21] B. S. Avinash was further cast in an important role.[4][22] In early October, Prasanna announced his participation.[23] Later the same month, Arjun Das did the same.[24]Prabhu and Yogi Babu were present during the film's preliminary shooting, confirming their presence in the film.[25][26] In late January 2025, Shine Tom Chacko announced he was part of the cast.[27]Simran was reported to make a cameo appearance.[28]
Filming
Principal photography was initially scheduled to begin in June 2024.[29] However, due to the filming schedule of Vidaamuyarchi in late May was scheduled in the United Arab Emirates,[30] the first schedule instead began on 9 May in Hyderabad.[31] A fight sequence, choreographed by Supreme Sundar, was filmed at first, according to reports.[32] The schedule was completed within a month on 9 June.[33] The team then continued filming for the second schedule in Hyderabad on early August, with Ajith simultaneously participating the shoot of this film and Vidaamuyarchi.[34][35]
Although initial plans were to go to South America for the concurrent schedule,[36] it took place in Spain instead.[37] During this schedule, however, photos and videos of Ajith were leaked to the social media platforms.[38] Toledo House in Toledo, Spain, which was a principal location in the Spanish TV series Money Heist, features in the film.[39] In late-November, production moved to the United Kingdom as a part of the major schedule.[40] Filming wrapped in mid-December.[41]
Post-production
On 29 December 2024, Ajith completed dubbing for his portions.[42]
The teaser for Good Bad Ugly was released on 28 February 2025.[46] It received over 32 million views within 24 hours of its release, thus becoming the most viewed Tamil film teaser to that point.[47]
Release
Theatrical
Good Bad Ugly is expected to premiere on 9 April 2025,[48] and release theatrically on 10 April 2025 in standard and EPIQ formats.[46] It was previously scheduled to release on 10 January 2025, coinciding with the occasion of Pongal.[49] Apart from the original Tamil language, it is also scheduled to release in the Telugu, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam languages.[50]
After the producers of Vidaamuyarchi announced in November 2024 that their film would release during the Pongal weekend,[51] the release of Good Bad Ugly was facing uncertainty as Naveen Yerneni did not confirm or deny any new release window.[52] In December, Adhik confirmed that the film was postponed; however, the makers of Vidaamuyarchi also announced that their film was also postponed, leading to none of the films being released on the occasion,[53] with the April 2025 release window for Good Bad Ugly being announced in early January.[54]
Distribution
Romeo Pictures bought the distribution rights of the film in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.[55]KVN Productions acquired the rights for Karnataka.[56] Prathyangira Cinemas acquired the distribution rights for the United States.[57]
Home media
The post-theatrical streaming rights of the film were purchased by Netflix for ₹95 crore.[58]
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