The film was officially announced in September 2023 under its working titles, as it is Sivakarthikeyan and Murugadoss's first collaboration and the former's 23rd film as a lead actor. Principal photography commenced in February 2024. It was shot in locations including Chennai and Pondicherry. The film has music composed by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography handled by Sudeep Elamon and editing by A. Sreekar Prasad.
In March 2020, director AR Murugadoss, who had previously collaborated with Vijay for three films—Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014) and Sarkar (2018)—was reported to join hands with the latter for the fourth time.[4][5]Kalanithi Maran's Sun Pictures was reported to fund the project, which was tentatively titled Thalapathy 65,[6] and Thaman S was reportedly approached to score the music, in what would have been his maiden collaboration with Vijay and Murugadoss.[7][8] On 24 August, Murugadoss confirmed the reunion with the actor, and dismissed the rumours of the film being a sequel to one of their previous projects.[9][10] However, in that October, Murugadoss was ousted by the production company citing his refusal to reduce his salary due to the failure of his previous film, Darbar (2020).[11][12] The company, in that December, had announced that Nelson Dilipkumar had replaced Murugadoss for Thalapathy 65,[13][14] which eventually became Beast (2022).[15][16]
Later the same month, Murugadoss reportedly met Sivakarthikeyan and discussed about a potential collaboration.[17] After no updates about the film being progressed, it was then reported that production would begin sometime in 2023, as Sivakarthikeyan had completed most of his prior commitments.[18] In March 2023, at the audio launch of Murugadoss' production venture August 16 1947 (2023), Sivakarthikeyan hinted about his collaboration with the director,[19] while Murugadoss then officially confirmed the project later that month.[20] The project is funded by N. V. Prasad under Sri Lakshmi Movies in their maiden production venture, as the company had previously distributed Telugu and Tamil films.[21] Sivakarthikeyan made a public announcement on 25 September 2023, coinciding with Murugadoss' birthday and confirmed the project, known by the working titlesSKxARM and SK23; the latter is being referred to Sivakarthikeyan's 23rd film as an actor.[22][23]
Pre-production
The project marks Sivakarthikeyan and Murugadoss's second collaboration, after the former's Tamil debut with Marina (2012), as Murugadoss previously worked as producer and co-writer in the Sivakarthikeyan-starrer Maan Karate (2014). But before the actor entered the industry, he hosted the audio launch for Murugadoss' directorial film 7 Aum Arivu (2011) and the director's production venture Engaeyum Eppothum at a similar event in the same year.[24] While it was speculated that the story was the similar one which he narrated to Vijay,[25] a source from The Times of India had reported that Murugadoss had written the script long ago, and it was supposedly narrated for Shah Rukh Khan, which did not materialise.[26] It was described as a fast-paced action film with an interesting screenplay similar to Ghajini (2005) and would also have a surprise element in the story.[27]
Murugadoss initially planned to direct a Hindi film which would involve extensive visual effects, and a graphics studio was reported to fund the project.[28] However, as the Hindi film industry faced a financial crisis owing to a number of films underperforming theatrically after the COVID-19 pandemic, he rescinded those plans and instead revisited the script which was meant for Sivakarthikeyan.[20] A muhurat puja was held at a studio in Chennai on 6 February 2024 with the presence of the film's cast and crew.[29][30]
In early-February 2023, Sudeep Elamon was announced as the cinematographer. As he predominantly works in the Malayalam cinema, it marks his first film in Tamil cinema.[31]Anirudh Ravichander would score the music, in his third film with Murugadoss after Kaththi (2014) and Darbar.[32] Editor A. Sreekar Prasad, stunt choreographers Dhilip Subbarayan and Kevin Kumar and art director Arun Venjaramoodu, were brought onboard for the technical crew.[31] Sivakarthikeyan went through a workshop with acting coach Rajesh Balachandiran to change his body-language.[33][34] Reportedly made with a budget of ₹200 crore, Sivakarthikeyan and Murugadoss's remuneration are reported to be ₹40 crore and ₹50 crore respectively.[21]
Sivakarthikeyan would sport a suave and thick beard, unlike any of the characters he had previously done before.[35] His character was reported to be a person who suffers from a psychological disorder, where he would overcome his trauma to confront the enemies and will be seen in multiple looks.[36]Mrunal Thakur was earlier reported to play the female lead,[37] but Rukmini Vasanth was later confirmed, in her second Tamil film after Ace.[38] Speaking of her casting, Murugadoss admitted that he wanted someone who looked like a practical young woman, adding that "I saw her films, and found her personality to be closer to the kind of character that I’d written."[27]
Mohanlal and Vidyut Jammwal were reported to play important roles in the film.[39][40] While Jammwal's inclusion was confirmed, with him playing the antagonist,[41] Mohanlal reportedly could not accept the offer due to scheduling conflicts.[42][43] Later, Biju Menon was confirmed, marking his return to Tamil cinema after Porkkalam (2010).[44][45] In June 2024, Vikranth and Shabeer Kallarakkal were confirmed to be a part of the cast.[46][47] Later that month, child actors Sanjay and Sachana Namidass were reported to play Sivakarthikeyan's siblings.[48]
Principal photography began with the first schedule on 14 February 2024 in Chennai.[49][50] The second schedule commenced on 13 March in Pondicherry and continued for a few days before returning to Chennai.[51][52] On 24 March, Murugadoss posted on Instagram that a sequence was filmed at the Thirumayilai railway station, also penning an emotional note as he also shot a portion for Ramanaa (2002), which starred late actor-politician Vijayakanth, there.[53][54] In early April, a portion featuring Sivakarthikeyan and Jammwal was reportedly shot, and a song sequence was also filmed at the streets of Pondy Bazaar in T. Nagar.[55][56] The same month, a romantic sequence featuring Sivakarthikeyan and Rukmini was shot at the Saveetha Institute of Medical And Technical Sciences.[57] Following this, shooting was briefly paused as Sivakarthikeyan had to participate in the final schedule of Amaran (2024).[58]
Filming resumed with the concurrent schedule in Chennai on 6 June, where the team shot few high-octane action sequences.[59] This schedule was completed within two weeks, and filming was put on hold to allow Murugadoss' commitments to Salman Khan-starrer Sikandar.[60] On 12 July, the team resumed filming with a minor schedule in Thoothukudi and would return to Chennai for the final phase of filming.[61] In September, it was reported that only 20 days of filming was left.[62] A small schedule was held at Tambaram in Chennai in early November.[63] In this schedule, a high-risk stunt sequence was filmed where Sivakarthikeyan jumped from the top of a bridge without a rope or a body double.[64] The schedule was then completed on 23 November.[65]
In January 2025, Sivakarthikeyan said filming was 90% complete.[66] In late January, it was reported that Murugadoss had decided to resume filming and complete the remaining portions within the following March, before continuing on Sikandar.[67]
Post-production
Sreekar Prasad started the editing works for the film by June 2024.[60] A one-minute snippet of the film's background score produced by Anirudh, was leaked on social media, during early August.[68]
Music
The soundtrack is composed by Anirudh Ravichander, in his third collaboration with Murugadoss after Kaththi (2014) and Darbar (2020); eighth with Sivakarthikeyan.[20][a] The audio rights were acquired by Junglee Music.[69]
Release
Theatrical
The film was earlier planned for a Diwali (31 October 2024) release but was postponed to 2025 due to production delays.[70][71][72]
Distribution
Prathyangira Cinemas acquired the distribution rights of the film for the United States.[73]
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